FANCY felines with silky fur sauntered in front of judges at a specialist show.

Pampered animals purred and paraded at a contest organised by the Burmese Cat Association, which supports owners and breeders of the exotic-looking creatures.

The club's second annual show took place at Ardley With Fewcott Village Hall near Bicester on Saturday, where audiences cooed over the cream of the crop.

Pretty pedigree Lily, six, was awarded the title of ‘grand winner’ in the champions’ category.

Her owner Sally Rainbow-Ockwell, who lives near Faringdon, is treasurer of the association and also judges at other competitions.

The 60-year-old cat breeder said: “I was showing yesterday to support the club. It’s very friendly and a lot of people know each other from cat shows around the country.

“It was a bit unexpected to win as Lily has been having kittens more that she’s been shown. I’m very happy.

“With the Burmese breed judges are looking for a really shiny satin coat lying close to the body, gleaming with health, and the head the shape of a short wedge. The eyes have to be really expressive, big and lustrous. It’s quite an elegant breed.

“I’ve had Lily since she was a kitten. She’s a bit of a diva – she’s friendly and purry but she’s definitely in charge.”

She also brought along one of Lily’s daughters to show in another section, as well as two of her other cats to enter into the ‘household pets’ category.

Lily went home with a rosette and the prestige of her fourth competition win.

Other winners included a cat called Sirius Black, named after the Harry Potter character, who won 'best of colour'.