AN ANIMAL festival has been honoured for the third successive year.

Kingston Maurward College has been named the winner of the National Pet Month best educational establishment event for 2015 for its Animal Festival Day.

This is the third year that the college’s festival has won the best educational establishment event.

The festival takes place each May, which is also National Pet Month and celebrates all things animal.

It is largely organised by students and attracts hundreds of people to the fun activity-packed day.

The event also offers people the chance to get advice about animals and also raises money for charities, with last year’s event raising money for Mission Rabies and Hounds for Heroes.

Head animal conservation and welfare technician Christine Rolfe said: “Everyone in the animal care and welfare academy is delighted and pleased that we have won again.

“Everyone worked really hard at the event to show best practice in animal welfare, as well as putting on an excellent family day out.”

Students work alongside staff to ensure the event is successful, with one student, Daisy Stewart, saying they are optimistic for even better this year.

She said: “Winning this competition gives us recognition for all the hard work we put in last year – it’s an important event for us to be able to help people and offer advice about animals, and for visitors to get some hands on experience. And we’re hoping this year’s event will be even better.”

National Pet Month is a registered charity that brings together animal welfare charities, professional bodies, pet businesses, schools, youth groups and pet lovers with the aim of improving the welfare of pets.

This year’s festival will take place on Sunday, May 8 at Kingston Maurward.

Events include a fun dog show, dog grooming, a pet photo competition, ferret racing, pony rides, reptile encounters and birds of prey.

Other events will include a grand raffle, tombolas, pet advice and a chance to meet bats and parrots.

This year’s event is raising money for The Donkey Sanctuary and the East Dorset Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation.

For more information go to kmc.ac.uk