Pet pooches from poodles to Pomeranians will be presented at the fourth Essex Dog Day later this month.

Previous events have attracted thousands of visitors, raising £150,000 for charity in the process.

Organisers hope to break records at the event as they attempt to have the most dogs wearing a bandana.

The world record, set in the USA last October, currently stands at 200 dogs.

Money raised from the show goes to the Essex Community Foundation, which itself supports a number of charities through-out the county, but it is hoped the record attempt will raise awareness for the Essex-based domestic abuse charity Safer Places.

The organisers are confident the record can be broken based on the turnout at previous years’ shows.

The event, on Sunday August 24, runs from 10am to 5pm and is held in the grounds of Crix, a privately-owned Georgian house in Hatfield Peverel accessed directly off the A12.

A number of demonstrations will be held throughout the day, including a sheepdog display, falconry, gun dog and agility demonstrations.

There will also be a series of competitions with categories including waggiest tail, dog most like its owner and best pedigree.

Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, will present the Best in Show prize. Classes start at 11am and people are advised to arrive early to register.

Other competitions include trying out an agility course with your own family pet, and a gun dog scurry into a lake and a fun dog scurry over straw bales.

A scurry is a find and retrieve competition.

There will also be trade stands, food stalls and a children’s entertainment in a day which promises to be fun for all the family. Dogs are not required to visit the day.

Ian Twinley, owner of Crix and chairman of the organisers, said: “Come and have a go. We’ve increased the size of the classes this year to make sure that everyone will be able to enter.

“It’s fun for all the family – what better way to spend the bank holiday?”

Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for concessions and a family ticket (two adults, two children) is £18.

For more information visit the event website.