Fantastic frocks and expensive jewellery were conspicuously absent from an Oscars ceremony held in York ... but then the winners were a species apart from your average Hollywood superstar.

The Willing And Giving (WAG) Awards 2001, sponsored by Wagg Foods, and otherwise known as the "Pet Oscars", honoured the top dogs and cats of the year whose services to mankind were above and beyond the call of duty.

From dogs wrestling robbers to cats wrestling dogs, the animals' achievements won them awards for everything from bravery to companionship.

And Boroughbridge vet Paul Harris, whose dedication impressed dog owner Chris Pickup, won the Vet of the Year award.

Meanwhile Jack, a very special dog from Hull, was rewarded for his friendship with 11-year-old Adam Baker, whose autism prevents him from expressing emotions or accepting affection, except from his canine companion.

There to present some of the awards were Vets In Practice star Sally Kingsley and ex-Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom, who spent eight years looking after one of Britain's most famous dogs, Goldie.

Goldie's equally famous daughter, Bonnie, died a few days ago.

Simon said: "I was lucky enough to look after Goldie for eight years while I was on Blue Peter and there were loads of kids who, for whatever reason, couldn't have pets of their own, who had a very strong identification with that dog when they tuned in twice a week.

"I think that more and more, we are realising the therapeutic qualities pets can have."

Meanwhile Sally had a personal reason for appreciating the value of the awards. She said: "These awards are important in bringing to the public's attention the very special relationship between people and their animals.

"It's something that's very close to my heart because I was bitten by a dog as a kid and had to have plastic surgery on my face.

"My folks bought me a little dog which helped me regain my trust in animals.

"I always wanted to be a vet, it didn't occur to me to be anything else and now my dream's come true it's better than I imagined."

Updated: 14:39 Friday, April 27, 2001