Records fell as thousands of people flocked through the turnstiles at a popular dog day.

Around 9,000 people visited the fourth Essex Dog Day at Crix the Georgian Mansion in Hatfield Peverel today, accompanied by dogs big and small, shaggy and smooth with their tails wagging.

Hundreds of dogs vied for glory in the two show rings in classes ranging from Best Pedigree to The Dog Most Like Its Owner and even The Dog The Judge Would Most Like To Take Home.

Others raced over straw bales or sped over seesaws and through tunnels in a variety of agility, scurry or flyball competitions.

The cup for Best in Show was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, to six-year-old Westalier Phoebe - a cross between a Westie and a Prince Charles Cavalier.

Her owner wheelchair-bound Kitty Leach, from Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, said: “I didn’t think I could own a dog but Phoebe has changed my life, not only being a great companion but also fetching the post.

“Although a wonderful lap dog she’s very energetic and has worked as a PAT (Pets as Therapy) in the St Helena Hospice in Colchester.”

A Guinness World Record was also broken as 407 dogs and their owners wore a matching bandana in one place. The record was beaten to raise awareness and money for the Safer Places charity for the protection of victims of domestic abuse.

Ian Twinley, owner of Crix and chairman of the organising committee, said: “I promised Elaine Strutt when I bought the house that I would continue to hold charitable events here.

“Our generous sponsors have paid all the expenses of putting on this show so every penny raised here goes direct to the Essex Community Foundation and is distributed to local charities providing help and support to people in need.

Although the amount has not been totalled, it has “comfortably beaten” last year’s profit of £60,000.

Other attractions included fairground rides, a climbing wall, a birds of prey display, sheepdog masterclass and cheerleading, gymnastic and acrobatic performance from the Oblivion Allstars.