Celebrity music man Simon Cowell will join his mother at an RSPCA open day.

Cowell, best known for his scathing comments to would-be pop stars, will show his more caring side at the day under the watchful eye of his mother, Julie, who lives in Ovingdean.

Cowell is a patron of the RSPCA and has been asked to judge the Fun Dog Show - the highlight of the shelter's fund-raising event of the year at its centre in Patcham, Brighton.

He will judge ten classes from noon, including Dog Most Like Its Owner, Dog With The Waggiest Tail and RSPCA Dog Of The Year.

There will also be stalls, bouncy castles, raffles, music, refreshments and an auction, with prizes including a week in Portugal, a Newcastle United shirt signed by Alan Shearer and cases of vintage port and champagne.

The open day will be held at Braypool sports field in Patcham on Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Entrance and parking are free and programmes cost £2.