'Animal oscars' for brave pets

The first British Animal Honours saw four winners in the Meridian region, you may have seen them on the programme last night.

Owen Howkins and his dog Haatchi won the Braveheart Honour, which is for rescued animals who thrive and go on to make a difference to the lives of other animals or people.

Hetty the dog won the Guardian Angel Honour for a trained assistance animal who has transformed someone's life through their skills, loyalty and devotion. Hetty is a guide dog and seizure alert dog for Tony Brown-Griffin from Tunbridge Wells.

Brin the dog from Sussex won the Canine Commando honour, for working alongside the military and the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service won the Local Charity of the Year honour for their work rescuing and treating sick and injured animals.

Click for video. It's fair to say most of us are pretty attached to our pets - so why not celebrate all creatures great and small? Tonight, on ITV, Paul O 'Grady hosts an award ceremony featuring stories of survival, bravery, talent...and starring animals. Hannah Costigan reports.

Animal lover Paul O'Grady said the British Animal Honours were a feel-good show and that some of the stories behind the winners were "absolutely wonderful."

Paul keeps a range of animals at home in Kent and has recently presented For the Love of Dogs from Battersea Dogs Home.

A brand new awards show celebrating the achievements of the country’s most extraordinary animals and the people who work with them, the British Animal Honours, is hosted by Kent's Paul O’Grady and airs on ITV on tonight at 8pm.

There are several nominees from across the Meridian region, including Owen Howkins and his dog Haatchi from Hampshire, East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, Hetty the dog, who looks after her owner Tony Brown-Griffin and Brin, the stray from Afghanistan who found a new home in Sussex.

From the brave and heroic to the funny and adorable, the British Animal Honours covers categories across military service and bravery as well as conservation and therapy, with most of the winners selected by a 30-strong jury made up of animal experts, animal charities and celebrities.