A POODLE is heading to the Crufts 2020 final after storming through the Utility Group title on Thursday.

Frankie, a four-year-old miniature poodle from Ramsgreave, near Blackburn, will return to the Resorts World Arena at the Birmingham NEC tomorrow with his owner Melanie Harwood.

The pair are hoping to win the Best in Show category after a number of years of competing in the show, winning Reserve Best in Show in 2017.

Ms Harwood, said: “Frankie is such a great dog to show and he’s coming to the end of his show career so to win at this level again. I am so proud of him and I’m proud to do this for my mum and my grandmother.

“To win the best of breed is an amazing achievement, to represent that breed and win the group is crazy. We’ll just go into Best in Show and enjoy it.”

She is the third-generation breeder of Poodles in her family, with both her mother and grandmother sharing a passion for the breed.

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts show manager, said: “We are thrilled to see Frankie and Melanie chosen as the Utility Group winner today.

“They should be very proud of reaching the prestigious Best in Show final for a second time – it’s an incredible achievement and one that not many get to experience in their lifetime.

“Crufts celebrates healthy, happy dogs and recognises the special and unique bond between dogs and their owners.

“Frankie is such a wonderful dog that clearly has a great relationship with his owner, and is at home in the show ring.

“The final is set to be very exciting on Sunday. We want to wish Frankie and Melanie the best of luck in the ring.”

The competition will see almost 20,000 dogs competing for only seven places in the final.

It is the 129th year of Crufts, and viewers can tune in to Channel 4 from 4.30pm tomorrow to watch the Best in Show competition.

The winner will receive a silver Keddall Memorial trophy - named after the show’s manager of 30 years - and a cash prize of £100.