MORE than 500 preened and pampered cats, along with their owners, converged on Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre for the 10th Wiltshire and District Cat Show.

Although there were 20 cheap and cheerful moggies at the show, competing in the household pet category, the stars of the show were their pure bred pedigree cousins.

These ranged from the exotic long haired Persians to the leopard spotted Bengals.

One of the show organisers John Robinson said: "We had the biggest number of visitors we have ever had at this show.

"It is one of the best cat shows in the country and I would say certainly among the busiest.

"We had 700 visitors through the doors on Saturday which was quite exceptional with the Wimbledon final on that day.

"We are really pleased with the way it went.

"We had people who brought their cats from as far afield as Scotland, Norwich and even the Channel Islands to compete. They must be mad."

Deputy Mayor Derek Benfield was one of the judges at the show and he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

"I've always been a cat lover so it was a great honour for me to be asked to be one of the judges.

"There were some tough decisions to be made but I think we got the right results in the end."