IT was celebrations all round as a Basingstoke mother and daughter claimed top honours at this year’s Crufts.

Daughter Chloe Roberts, 19, and her young otterhounds Phae and Ollie claimed first prize in their breed classes, whilst mum Kerry Roberts, 41, placed fourth in the Gamekeepers class of Pointer/Setter/HPR any variety Open class in the world’s biggest dog show held in Birmingham’s NEC with Pointer Issy.

The four-day event attracted thousands of dog lovers and competitors last weekend and coveted title of Best in Show dog was claimed by an American Cocker Spaniel called Miami Ink.

The Roberts have been competing at Crufts for years, but after the successes and fun across the weekend, Kerry said it was “probably the best Crufts we have had”.

The Basingstoke secondary school teacher said: “I am really happy – we had a really good show. You can only prepare so much and it’s always in the hands of the judges as to who wins so for Issy to place and Phae to win her group is amazing.

“We’re just really happy with how it went. I got some lovely feedback from the judges. Issy’s movement is her forte. She’s got this long slide that you expect from Pointers.”

She added: “It was nice for me to show off exactly why Pointers are fantastic dogs. They’re a loving breed of dog and are great family pets.”

Kerry started dog handling more than three decades ago, when her uncle worked for pedigree pet foods, a large sponsor for dog showing back in the eighties and her auntie bred and exhibited Cavaliers.

And Chloe soon followed suit.

Chloe, who studies English Literature at Bath Spa University, said: “Phae is such a brilliant dog, absolutely amazing in every way and one of the best dogs I have handled.

“She just moves like a dream and just has this spark when you watch her. It’s so effortless with her. There was some good competition out there against her, but she was absolutely amazing.”