A DOG from Westbury has been named as a finalist in a national competition for the second time in less than a year.

Budgie, a Pekinese Lhaso Apso cross, who is a hearing dog for his deaf companion Tracy Lewis, has been nominated as one of 25 dogs from across the UK to be Hero Hound.

The competition is being run by the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Charity, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Hearing dogs provide practical everyday help for deaf people to enable them to live independently.

They are trained to alert their owners to various sounds, such as a ringing telephone or a wake-up alarm going off in the morning.

Miss Lewis, 32, said: "Budgie and I have been together almost five years. Our partnership goes from strength to strength, our bond is unbreakable and our trust in each other immeasurable."

Last year Budgie was in the final of the Tails of Achievement Award, held at Newbury Racecourse.

To vote for Budgie as Hero Hound, or to find out more about him and the other nominees, visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/hero-hounds.php