SHORTHAIR cat breeders descend on Wisbech on Saturday as a society stages its 10th annual show.

The Exotic Shorthair Cat Society’s show returns after a two-year absence, after last year’s show was cancelled due to adverse weather.

It also returns to the Queen Mary Centre in Wisbech - the show was held elsewhere while the centre was temporarily used as the town’s library.

Last year’s show was due to be staged at St Peter’s Junior School, but was cancelled because of heavy snow last winter. Show organisers are hoping there will be no repeat this year.

Barbara McEwen, society secretary and assistant manager of the show, said: “It is a nice and friendly show where animal lovers can see and get close to loads of cats.”

The number of entries is set to be down compared to previous shows due to the recession and because there are 10 other shows taking place across the country on the same day.

Mrs McEwen said: “When we held our first show there was only ours and the Capital Long Hair Cat Association’s show on the same date.

“But we still have entrants from across the country - people are travelling from Nottinghamshire, Derby, Kent, Essex and Reading to be here.”

The show will be the 16th organised by the society, which was formed in 1984. Its first six, from 1996-2001, were unofficial shows while the society proved to governing bodies that it was competent enough to stage events.

Various charity stalls will also run alongside the show and Woozles, a photography business, will be on hand to take pictures of cats.

Doors open to the public at 12.30pm. Admission costs �2.50 for adults and �1.50 for children and concessions.