THEY are curious and playful yet gentle with a calm personality - and on Saturday they descended on Fenland for an annual show.

But the exotic shorthair was not the only one to enjoy some time in the limelight, with pedigree and non-pedigree moggies also competing for honours.

The Exotic Shorthair Cat Society held its 17th annual show at Tydd St Giles Community Centre, with 44 cats gunning for the title of best in show.

Some came from as far afield as Essex, Kent, Yorkshire and Berkshire for the occasion as the normally relaxed cats got competitive and battled it out for top honours.

Barbara McEwen, society secretary and assistant show manager, said: “We were very pleased that the weather was kind to us and we didn’t get snowed off like in 2010.

“It was a very successful day although we were down in numbers compared to last year but it was a fun day out for a lot of people who came and enjoyed the show.”

Best in show was a silver spotted neutered cat called Finchfield Sergeant Pepper, a grand champion and grand premier owned by Pam Mallabone, of Hinckley in Leicestershire.

He qualified for the Supreme Show - the equivalent to Crufts in the cat world - at the NEC in Birmingham which takes place in November.

Best in show pedigree was a master cat called Missy, owned by Mrs Fletcher of Pentney, Norfolk. Best in show non-pedigree was an imperial grand master cat called Charlie, entered by Mr Bernard of Sheringham.

This year’s show was due to take place at the Queen Mary Centre in Wisbech but Cambridgeshire County Council is refusing to take bookings for weekend events. Despite accepting the booking, the society’s �50 deposit was returned with a note explaining that the centre was closing.

Planning has already started for next year’s show, which will take place on January 5 - and following this year’s success the venue is likely to stay the same.