A HAMSTER has made history by becoming the first creature of his kind to win the Tele's pet idol competition.

Alfie left the opposition in a spin to win our fabulous competition.

He won 714 votes to bag his owner £300 plus a photoshoot package, photobook and print worth £275 from Kyla Still Photography in West Kilbride.

Owner Louise Cockburn and her boyfriend Gareth McNeil are thrilled to bits their 'wee monkey' has won.

Louise, 31, an admin assistant with Turning Point Scotland, said: "When my partner told me Alfie had won, I couldn't believe it.

"We are over the moon.

"It took us by surprise and we are so proud and happy.

"He likes the camera - he's a wee poser.

"He's spoiled rotten - we all love him."

The couple, who live in Roxburgh Street, have head their pet since he was six weeks old and now he is a year and a half.

Moggie Murphy was a worthy runner-up with 575 votes.

Owner Lucy McKeegan, 20, was thrilled that the cute kitten was placed in the competition.

She said: "I'm very happy.

"I knew he would be in the top three because he was too cute not to."

Lucy, who lives with her boyfriend Calum Jamieson, in Gourock's Fir Terrace, will receive £150 and a photoshoot package worth £225.

She said: "I'm going to buy him loads of toys and treats."

Lucy says Murphy is full of fun and loves climbing on top of doors and gets up to lots of other mischief.

She said: "He also likes stealing treats from the kitchen, then hiding them in his play tunnel, ripping the packet and eating them all.

"Everyone we met said they were voting for him in the competition just because of his cute wee face,"

Pretty pooch Rosie took third place with 243 votes.

Her Alison Campbell, of Langside Terrace in Port Glasgow, received £50.

The Tele would like to thank everyone who took part in the fabulous contest which has proved as popular as ever with animal lovers.

Almost 4,000 votes were cast with readers vying for the coveted top spot.

Telegraph editor Brian Hossack said: "We're a nation of animal lovers and Inverclyde is no different.

"I would like to congratulate all the winners and everyone who took part by sharing pictures of their much-loved pets.

"I would also like to thank all our readers who voted and our sponsor Kyla Still Photography for making this year's competition such a success."