CUTE Fury is officially Huddersfield's most gorgeous pet.

The placid five-year-old Maine Coon beat off competition from 207 other entrants to win a year's supply of pet food in the Examiner's Pet Idol contest.

Fury's owners Myra Stanway and her sister Madalaine emigrated to England from South Africa last March.

They travelled over with Fury and her sister Tango along with fellow felines Katego and Shingi.

All four cats made it into the final 20 of the competition, sponsored by Asda supermarket chain, which saw more than 1,798 votes cast, and Fury gaining 289.

Myra and Madalaine rescued the cats from the RSPCA in Johannesburg, where they lived before moving to Crosland Moor.

They said cats needed plenty of attention to stay happy.

"They need lots of love and care," said Myra. "They must be well looked after and not left to roam the streets."

The sisters urged people thinking of buying a pet for Christmas to think very carefully. "Christmas is not a time to want a cat or dog as a present because it's a long-term commitment," warned Madalaine.

All 208 entrants, whether they were cats, dogs - with some of the coolest canines sporting sunglasses - or smaller creatures, appeared in a special eight-page supplement in the Examiner.

The grand final to pick a winner was held at the beginning of the month.