THE rain held off just long enough for best in show to be crowned at a 14-year-old’s charity dog show.

Scarlett Berry held her annual dog show in Westhoughton’s Central Park with more than 200 dogs with their owners competing in 14 categories, with the winner of each going on to try for best in show.

Coco, the 15-and-a-half-month-old Dogue De Bordeaux, took home best in show at Barking Berry’s Fun Dog Show, much to the delight of her 12-year-old owner Amy O’Dowd.

Amy, who goes to Thornleigh Salesian College, said: “I’m really happy. I had to stand still with Coco, it’s hard to make her standstill and she kept going round the back of me.”

Organiser Scarlett, who attends Bury Grammar School and dreams of being a vet, said: “It’s been a bit drizzly, then we had beautiful sunshine until as soon as we finished best in show the skies opened.

“I think it went pretty well, last year it was pouring down all day."

Scarlett judged the rounds with newly qualified vet Alice Leach, aged 23, who has just finished her degree at the Royal Veterinary College London.

Scarlett added: “My favourite round is the Golden Oldies because people go on about puppies being cute but I think older dogs are brilliant. They are like grumpy, old men and they are so gentle.”

The show grew out of Scarlett’s dog biscuit bakery — Barking Berry's Bakery — which she started to raise money for animal charities when she was eight.

After two years of visiting shows in the area she decided to set up her own dog show.

Barking Berry’s Fun Dog Show is raising money for Rochdale Dog Rescue, Harley’s Heroes, Dogs Trust and Care for the Paw.