Dogs on the Barton estate are going on show for the first time this weekend – in a move designed to bring the community together.

Dog lover Hayley Davies has organised the estate’s first dog show to take place on Sunday.

The 44-year-old, who has three dogs, said: “It is about the community. There are an awful lot of dogs in Barton.

“It’s about getting the community together and realising there are more things to do with your dog than take it for walks.

“You can have fun with your dogs as well.”

The pooches will be judged at the Barton Neighbourhood Centre event in the following categories: Most Handsome Dog, Prettiest Bitch, Best Six Legs, Waggiest Tail, Best Puppy, Best Trick, and Best Young Handler.

The winner of each of the categories will compete to win the Best in Show title.

It costs £2 to enter each class and the top four in each category will receive a rosette and a goodie bag donated by Headington Pet and Garden Store in London Road.

Mrs Davies, of Edgecombe Road, said the contest was also open to people who live outside the estate, adding: “It’s really getting the community together and getting people to come to Barton.”

The former Cherwell School pupil added: “I want to get that community spirit back.

“It is something that has never been done before in Barton as far as I know.

“I would love to do it as a yearly thing.”

She said the event would raise cash for soldiers’ charity Help for Heroes.

She said her 25-year-old son Aaron Britnell was due to serve in Afghanistan later this year with the Royal Corps of Signals.

Mrs Davies is also hoping to soon start her dog grooming business for the elderly and disabled and for people on low incomes.

The registration for Sunday’s show starts at Barton Neighbourhood Centre in Underhill Circus, Barton, from 12.30pm.

The shows start from 1pm and are on until about 3.30pm.

Sue Holden, secretary of the Barton Community Association, said the event was likely to be a hit.

He said: “It’s a really sort of laid-back fun thing. I don’t think anyone will be taking it very seriously. It’s not Crufts. But it’s an excuse for those with dogs to come out and have some fun.”

And she said dogs were an important part of life on the estate.

She said: “There are lots of families that have got dogs and for many of them, especially for the elderly, it’s absolutely crucial that they have a dog in their lives.

“It’s their companion, friend, and their company.”

Following the event, the Dogs Trust charity will be micro-chipping dogs free at the neighbourhood centre on Monday, October 7, between 11am and 3pm.