A YOUNG dog lover from Whitchurch is in line for a starring role at Crufts 2014 this week after being nominated for a major award.

Chloe Roberts, 16, is one of 15 youngsters shortlisted for the Young Kennel Club’s Shaun McAlpine Outstanding Young Person Award, which will be awarded at Birmingham’s NEC on Sunday.

Celebrating the hardworking, inspirational and selfless actions of young dog lovers, the Shaun McAlpine Outstanding Young Person Award is the highest level of achievement for the country’s young dog owners.

Presented by the Young Kennel Club, the award recognises and celebrates the achievements of inspiring and innovative young people who are making a difference for dogs.

Chloe was born with a form of cerebral palsy, which affects her hands and feet mainly. She also has asthma which is aggravated by a strong animal allergy, of which dogs is a trigger.

However a specialist advised the family they should get a dog, because children of a young age can become immune to the pets which live in their home.

Chloe has always been a massive dog lover and was delighted by the news and in 2007 she got a Cavalier Kings Charles spaniel called Willow.

Now Chloe lives with Willow and also two Pointers which she now shows and has qualified for various competitions, improving her skills all the time.

Chloe’s mum, Kerry Roberts, said: “I am so proud of her. She has overcome a lot to be able to pursue her passion for dogs. She is an inspiration to me and for that as a mother, I am eternally grateful.”