A GREENOCK politician and his rescue dog from Romania are hoping to win votes in this year’s ‘Holyrood Dog of the Year 2022’ competition.

Jamie Greene, a regional MSP for the west of Scotland and his rescue dog Astro are pitched against other politicians and their four-legged friends in the race for top dog.

Contestants are assessed both by judges and a public vote and the top dog will be revealed during a ceremony on May 9 at the Scottish Parliament Gardens in Edinburgh.

Mr Greene said: “Astro arrived into the UK in the back of a bus having been born in Romania on the streets, where he most likely would have succumbed to starvation, accident, or worse.

“He is my world, is always there for me, listens to me, humours me and comforts me.”

The competition is jointly organised by the Kennel Club and charitable organisation Dogs Trust and aims to promote responsible dog ownership and to highlight welfare issues, as well as enabling the proud politicians to show off their pets.

Talking about the wider importance of the competition, Mr Greene said: "Holyrood Dog of the Year is a great chance to celebrate the essential work MSPs are doing to improve dog welfare and will be a fantastic opportunity to highlight the importance of responsible dog ownership as well."

You can see all the dogs in the competition and cast a vote by logging on to www.thekennelclub.org.uk/hdoty