TWO cats have scooped the title of Gwent’s prettiest pets.

In June we launched the search for the prettiest pet in Gwent in a competition to win a pet portrait by artist Christopher Langley.

And the response to this first prettiest pet competition was fantastic.

We were inundated with entries.

Now two winners, one chosen by an online public vote and the other chosen by artist Christopher Langley, have been selected to receive a pet portrait worth £170 created by Mr Langley.

Hundreds of people sent in pictures of their pets for consideration, which we featured in a supplement that we published in early August.

From them a shortlist of five was selected and thousands of people voted for their favourite from a shortlist of five pets for the readers’ winner.

Both the winner of the public vote, and Mr Langley’s choice, will receive a bespoke print on canvas created by Mr Langley - who is one of the artists in residence at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Celli, who won the public vote, was sent by Emily Boshein from Cwmbran.

She said: “We have always thought that Celli has really beautiful features and we thank everyone that voted for her.

“I think we have just the perfect place in our dining area for the picture to go.

“We are really looking forward to it.

“Everyone that knows us knows how loved Celli is so the picture will go just perfectly in our home.”

Mr Langley’s favourite picture was sent by Sylvia Briffett and her granddaughter Elle Wilks. Bailey is an 11-year-old ragdoll who lives in Rogerstone.

Mr Langley said: “I was looking for an outstanding pet and a well crafted picture that shows that the person really cares and they took the time to get the picture right.

“The picture I chose as winner was not only a good picture the cat is extraordinarily handsome, and the eyes did it for me, they are fantastic.

“They are lovely, clear blue eyes and that’s a bit of a challenge for me.”

Mr Langley added: “There’s something very satisfying about a wonderful and lasting reminder of a beloved pet.”

The winners will both receive a print on canvas of their pet created by Mr Langley, on A2 canvas, that will be created from a digital painting of the each pet.

They will also have a signed certificate of authentication of the work on the back.

You can see some of Mr Langley’s work by visiting art4u.wales.