THERE are bound to be plenty of people who will want to throw politicians to the dogs as the battle for power in Westminster intensifies over the coming weeks.

Now, there is a shop in North Yorkshire which is giving its customers the chance to choose which one.

J and H Meynell, in Richmond's Finkle Street, has stocked up with squeaky replicas of Tony Blair and William Hague, offering pet owners the satisfaction of watching their dogs sink their teeth into which ever one they would prefer to see suffer.

Since the six-inch toys went on display in the shop window, they have been selling like hot cakes.

"It seemed a great idea when we were offered them, so we bought as many as we could get our hands on," said shop owner John Meynell.

"People of all ages seem to love them; we have even sold a few to people who do not have dogs."

But, which ones have been selling best?

Richmond is in the heart of Mr Hague's constituency, so perhaps it is not surprising that, in a true blue corner of rural North Yorkshire, Mr Blair's plastic effigy is being snapped up almost twice as quickly.

But, is that because more people want to take Mr Blair home or because they feel he deserves a good mauling?

Only time will tell.