Hundreds of rescue dogs and their owners bounded to south west London for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s annual reunion last weekend.

Celebrity judges included Holby City actor Guy Henry and Kiss FM’s DJ Pandora who helped choose the winner for a host of popular dog classes, which included ‘Best Battersea Dog’.

Sidney, the five-year-old bull mastiff, swooped the coveted prize, and it looked to be well-deserved after a difficult star to life.

The five-year-old was last at Battersea London six months ago and this was not the first time he had been at the rescue centre.

He was found as a stray and was microchipped, however the owners never showed up to collect him after staff got in touch.

Sidney eventually went home to Linda Parsons where they are both living a happy life together.

Linda said: “Sidney is a great dog. He’s so friendly and soppy, I can’t imagine why anyone didn’t want to keep him.

“I’m so happy Sidney has won ‘Best Battersea Dog’ and happy for Battersea too.

“We’re probably going to celebrate his win with too much food!”

Another dog who caught the judges’ eyes was Peggy, a three-legged Staffordshire bull terrier, who was named ‘Dog the Judges Would Most Like to Take Home’.

Peggy arrived at Battersea in 2015 as a young pup with her front left leg already amputated, so staff had no idea what had happened to her in the early stages of her life.

Luckily, her owner, Natasha Maffioletti from north London, fell in love as soon as she saw her.

Speaking about the win, Natasha said: “I came here wanting to enter Peggy into a few classes today.

“I really wanted Peggy to win something and she did! She’s such a star.”

Guy Henry, who rehomed a lurcher from Battersea Brands Hatch in 2015, added: “I’m incredibly thrilled to be at the annual reunion again. I was here last year and it’s a real honour to have been invited back to judge for a second year.

“It’s always extremely difficult to pick a winner out of all the fabulous waggy-tailed contestants.

“I’d love for every dog to win a prize.”

Here is the full list of winners for 2017:

- Best Battersea Dog (sponsored by TrustedHousesitters.com) – Bull Mastiff, Sidney, owned by Linda Parsons

- Best Treat Catcher (sponsored by Red Carnation Group) – Staffie Cross, Aoife, owned by Adele Daniels

- Obedience Elimination (sponsored by Voo Vets) – Mongrel, Gustavito, owned by Marcia M Ruiz Rosado

- Golden Oldie (sponsored by Ancol) – English Springer Spaniel, Ben, owned by Hazell York

- Waggiest Tail (sponsored by Groom Room) – Staffie, Junior, owned by Louise Turner

- Dog The Judges Would Like To Take Home – Staffie, Peggy, owned by Natasha Maffioletti

- Loveliest Lady – won by Mongrel, Flo, owned by Claire Matthews

- Most Fabulous Fella (sponsored by Pet Pavilion) – Collie/Flat Coat Spaniel Cross, Bear, owned by Luke Martin

If you’re interested in adopting a Battersea dog like Sidney and giving them a second-chance, then you can visit: www.battersea.org.uk