A new pet shop in Mullion was delighted when its official opening was attended by a pair of local celebrities - of the canine kind, naturally.

On the tail of their owners winning Packet Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, the Halzephron Inn hounds Brewster and Diego were guests of honour at the launch of Petz of Mullion.

Together with owner Claire Murray, landlady of the Gunwalloe pub, the red setters were first to have a nose round the store in Churchtown where Westcountry Printers was based for many years and was most recently Headcase Hair, before the owner relocated the salon to her home.

Falmouth Packet:

Guests of honour Brewster and Diego with owner Claire Murray

The pet supplies store has been opened by Grant Wheeler, who used to run a bookshop next door until January this year.

He said: "I thought I would retire, but got bored! People have always asked me, 'What do you think would work in Mullion as a shop?' and I've always said a pet shop, because there are loads of people with dogs in Mullion and it's quite a trek to Helston.

"I thought I would put my money where my mouth was and give it a go."

Grant took inspiration from his friend Mandy, who owns a pet shop in Wadebridge and encouraged him to set up the business.

He has chosen to angle the shop around natural products for all varieties of pets, selling organic raw and dried food that he said were not full of chemicals and were bulked out with vegetables rather than rice or potatoes that many animals were becoming allergic to.

Falmouth Packet:

The Halzephron Inn dogs are first into the shop

He also believes his shop is the only one in Cornwall to stock the UK's top rated natural dog food.

This ethos is reflected in the shop's decor, where shelving is made from apple crates rather than plastic.

Grant said he had been pleased with the response from customers, adding: "It's gone really well so far - certainly as well as I could have hoped, probably a bit better."