A teenager from Hazlemere has spoken out about her “amazing” experience after her furry best friend, Buttons, made it to the finals of the Crufts’ 2018 Friends for Life awards.

The shih tzu helped 19-year-old photography student Hannah Gates get back on her feet after she was diagnosed with a near-fatal case of ulcerative colitis.

Buttons’ loyalty was recognised in the popular dog show at Birmingham’s NEC Arena, now in its 127th year, but unfortunately did not scoop the top prize.

But Hannah said she had an “experience to remember”, adding: “The other finalists are amazing and so inspirational. We’ve made some friends for life already.

“And all the other dogs for all that they’ve done for their owners as well, because they’re such remarkable dogs with such amazing stories. Friends for Life is wonderful.”

Hannah credits Buttons with lifting her spirits through her long recovery and getting her back into exercise, as the pair took up dog agility.

She added: “It’s great to just get recognition for Buttons for all that she’s done for me.

“Although I’ve been to Crufts before, I’ve never been with her so it’s definitely different but exciting.”

The participants were whittled down from more than 300 entrants by the Kennel Club, the governing body that runs Crufts.