Owners of the cutest animals in Lowestoft have picked up their prizes after winning our popular Pets on Parade competition.

Lowestoft Journal: Lowestoft Journal's Pets on Parade competition.Lowestoft Journal's Pets on Parade competition. (Image: Archant)

Back in February, The Journal published a four-page photo special featuring snaps of the 32 dapper dogs, 11 fabulous felines and seven other adorable animals who entered into our annual contest.

All of the animals were photographed at Picture Studios, based in London Road North in Lowestoft, with Journal readers tasked with voting for their top dog, cat and other animal.

And after the votes were counted, the winning animals were named as Dotty, Maude and Claudia.

All three owners won a 20in x 16in canvas wrap portrait - worth £190 - of their beloved pets, provided by Picture Studios, which they were invited in to collect this week.

Wendy Wicks from Lowestoft, got seven-year-old Dotty, a dachshund cross jack russell, from a rescue centre as a puppy.

She said: 'I was over the moon to win. You always think your dog is the best but it is so nice that other people think she is lovely too.

'She is such a loving dog, she is a real mummy's girl and she loves cuddles at night time.'

Nicola Martin, owner of six-year-old Claudia, was told there wasn't much hope of her surviving when she took her in. However after caring for her at home with her other rescue ferrets, she made a full recovery.

She said: 'I was surprised to win, but she is a beautiful girl. We are so pleased.

'She is so special because we didn't think she would make it.'

Maude's owner, Amy Barwood of Lowestoft, said she was also delighted to win.

Matt Goddard, owner of Picture Studios, said he was pleased to see different animals entering the competition this year, with a Chilean rose tarantula and squirrel also among the entries in the other category.

He said: 'It was a really good competition and we are looking forward to photographing all the animals again next year.

'You can also keep an eye out in the Journal for our Bonny Babies competition which will be launching soon!'