He was voted winner of the Gazette's Santa Paws competition and scooped himself a year's supply of food.

Owners Zoe Shepherd, 17, and her sister Chelsea, 16, both students, from Hedgefield Road, Hebburn, were thrilled to bits when they discovered their cute pet had won.

Zoe said: "We took the picture of Brian in his hat and scarf just before the competition was launched. But we thought he looked great so we decided to enter him."

More than 700 votes were cast for the festive dogs, cats, rabbits, a guinea pigs, lizard and tortoise on our shortlist of 25. But Brian came top of the poll with 108 votes.

The sisters, who have owned the eight-month-old guinea pig since August, were stunned when Brian was announced as our competition winner.

"We were really shocked when we found out he'd won.

"There was so many pets dressed up and they looked really good, we didn't think Brian had much of a chance." said Chelsea.

The rodent will be in his element now his owners have £100 to spend on food and new additions to his cage, thanks to South Tyneside-based business Pet Supermarket.

Mark Berriman, Pet Supermarket's managing director, added: "We are delighted Brian has won our competition."

"At our warehouse you can see that we stock food, toys, treats and everything you need for all your pets, not just cats and dogs."