Dogs wearing colourful coats and scarves descend on Birmingham ...

The furry competitors arrived at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) with wagging tails and eager faces on Thursday, braving a chilly start to the morning on the first day of the contest.

One poodle wore a bright pink chunky scarf around its neck while another opted for a fuzzy green coat paired with pink hair accessories to wow the judges with a pop of colour.

Three Italian greyhounds wore a selection of bright-coloured coats to keep out the cold while others donned rainbow-patterned leg warmers.

Running from March 7-10 this year, the annual competition will see thousands of dogs take part in a wide variety of challenges and presentations in a bid to take home the trophy.

A selection of agility and jumping tasks are on the agenda for the first day of the show, as well as a heelwork to music competition, obedience challenges and a West Midlands police dog display, among other events.

The jam-packed day will also include the judging of a variety of dog breeds, including a miniature schnauzer, an English toy terrier, a Japanese spitz and a chow chow.