“FIVE minutes until waggiest tail – just for dogs, not you gents,” a megaphone-toting judge announced.

The beloved Mutts Dog Show returned to Worthing yesterday for its second year and dozens of dogs dragged their owners to Broadwater Green.

Prestigious titles including waggiest tail, golden oldie and playful pup were up for grabs as judges chose the prettiest pooches.

Dogs and owners young and old paraded around the green to the applause of onlookers.

But one pooch in particular captured hearts.

Fourteen-year-old crossbreed Jess trotted herself around with her lead in her mouth, to the delight of the crowds.

Eleven years ago, Sally Ann Hayes rescued the

collie-German shepherd cross from Leigh Dogs Home in Manchester.

And yesterday the Worthing resident was ecstatic as Jess took home the best veteran gong, reserved for dogs older than eight.

“She’s an absolute pleasure, she comes everywhere with me like my little shadow,” said Sally.

“I don’t have to put her on the lead when I take her out any more. “I chuck it, she runs for it, she’s all playful.

“She’s a lovely girl, very gentle, and she’s helped children overcome their fears of dogs. The home named her Holly, but we have so many Hollys in the family we decided to call her Jess.

“We believe she was abandoned, there was no real history when we rescued her.

“But she hasn’t got a bad bone in her body.”

The win was especially meaningful for owner Sally as it came exactly a year after partner Martin died.

“He was Jess’s daddy, so he would be very proud today,” she said. “On Father’s Day this year we entered another competition and she got best veteran for that too.

“She has her little play in the fields and she takes her supplements like I do.

“This field is full of love, it’s wonderful. Purely unconditional. And the weather’s been fantastic.”

Next week Sally will visit a dogs’ home in Bosnia that cares for 117 pooches.

But closer to home, animal rescue charity Wadars benefited hugely from the dog show. Proceeds from stalls and entries went towards the organisation’s work with animals in need across Worthing.

l Don’t miss Wednesday’s Argus for another picture special on the dog show