MORE than 100 meow-nificent felines tried to purr-suade judges they were the top cat at an international show.

Proud owners from around Europe showed off their unusual breeds, including Maine Coons, Bengals, Norwegian Forest Cats and Peterbalds at the competition at Holmwood House School, in Lexden, on Saturday and Sunday.

It was the first Felis Britannica show to be held in Colchester and organiser, Wendy Chapman, from Dovercourt, said it was a huge success.

She said: “I was really pleased with the turnout - I’m hoping we can come back to Colchester again.

“You do inevitably get a few very competitive people, but everybody has been very friendly.”

The judges, including experts from Poland, France and the Netherlands, assessed each cat on its type, head, eyes, ears, coat, tail, body and condition.

On Saturday, a male Maine Coon called Playboy scooped the Best In Show prize.

Local kitty, five-month-old Kye the Bengal, from Villa Road, Stanway, was nominated for Best In Show.

His owner and Bengal breeder, Stella Chisnall, 37, said: “It doesn’t matter where your cat comes in the show because it’s such a nice atmosphere.

“But I’m really pleased - it’s Kye’s first show and he purred non-stop for the judges.”