A young dog-lover is gearing up for a starring role at next month’s Crufts after being nominated for a major award.

Oscar Tarbox, 11, and his black Labrador Skya, have been nominated along with four others for Young Kennel Club Shaun McAlpine Outstanding Young Person Award.

The award is the highest level of achievement for the country’s young dog owners and celebrates their hardworking and inspirational actions.

Oscar, from Plumpton, goes to Tavistock and Summerhill School in Summerhill Lane, Haywards Heath.

He has been going to Crufts since he was six years old, following in his family’s dog-loving footsteps.

This year he won the Bowood House Junior Scurry Award with Skya and admits the chance to be in the spotlight at the world’s largest dog show at Birmingham’s NEC on Sunday, March 8, is something he was relishing.

He said: “The nomination feels amazing. It would certainly make me very happy if I won since I have been working with dogs for a long time and it would be nice to be appreciated for the work I’ve done.

“I have been working with gun dogs since I was two years old. I’ve gone through a lot with Skya and she’s been through a lot too and we have a very special relationship.

“We also have her mother here with us, Skya was one of her puppies that I begged Mum to keep and eventually she let me after I proved I could look after her.”

The overall winner will be decided via an online public vote.

Caroline Kisko, secretary for the Kennel Club, said whatever the outcome, Oscar and Skya were inspirations for others.

She said: “Year after year we are told of amazing young people like Oscar working with and helping dogs. This award serves to highlight the fantastic way that young people and dogs can interact to perform such wonderful feats in society.

“The five finalists and their families should be very proud, as they are such great examples of young people working with dogs to help their community.”

Crufts will be held from March 5 to 8.