Search is on for Britain’s best Battersea dog to gain a Royal appointment

"Puppy dog, puppy dog, where have you been?

I've been up to London to visit The Queen…"

It's the ultimate competition for any proud Battersea dog owner and will set tails a wagging in homes across the country. Ahead of Her Majesty The Queen visiting Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on Tuesday 17 March to open the charity's new kennels, one lucky Battersea rescue dog and their owner will be given the incredible opportunity to join the festivities.

In true rags to riches style, one former Battersea rescue dog will make a triumphant return to the charity's iconic London centre to see The Queen.

Starting today, proud owners who have provided a happy home to a Battersea dog will have the opportunity to show why their perfect pooch deserves a brush with Royalty by sending a photo or film of their hound with the hashtag #Maamsbestfriend.

The competition, on the Battersea Twitter feed @BDCH, runs from Friday 27 February to Friday 6 March after which a winning ex-Battersea resident will be chosen to prepare for their grand visit to the London centre.

Any Battersea dog can be entered. Whether Corgi or Cane Corso, Mongrel or Mastiff. The only requirement is that they were rehomed from the world-famous rescue and owners can be as creative as they like in submitting their entries for the winning crown.

The lucky mutt and their owner will join Battersea's current dogs to celebrate the opening of the charity's new kennels that will provide a place of safety to thousands of lost, abandoned, and unwanted dogs that pass through the Home every year. Since opening in 1860, Battersea has helped over 3.1 million dogs and cats, and rehomed nearly 3,000 dogs last year alone to homes as far afield as the Orkney Islands and St Ives.

Claire Horton, Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, says:

"What Battersea dog owner wouldn't want their pet to see The Queen? At Battersea we pride ourselves on giving a second chance of happiness to thousands of dogs every year, and now we can offer one outstanding former resident the extraordinary experience of joining us to greet our Royal Patron."

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For more information and images please contact 020 7627 9294 or email press@battersea.org.uk

Notes to editors

· On 18 May 1956 Her Majesty The Queen became the Home's Royal Patron.

· The Queen previously visited Battersea in February 1991.

· The competition is open to Battersea dog owners in the UK, aged 18 or over.

· Dogs must have been rehomed before 31 January 2015.

· The winner will be notified by 12 March 2015 and will be invited to attend the royal opening of Battersea's new kennels on Tuesday 17 March 2015.

· Full terms and conditions for the completion can be found at www.battersea.org.uk

· Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. We reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners through our Lost Dogs & Cats Line or care for them until new homes can be found for them, giving them shelter and the highest standards of kennelling and veterinary care.

· Since it was founded, Battersea has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats.

· For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home please visit www.battersea.org.uk.

· Follow Battersea on Twitter @BDCH or facebook.com/Battersea