PRIME Ministers are often unable to attend events in person, so often send a stand-in, or a note wishing everyone well.

But when a Somerset firm offered the PM a dog bed for his Jack Russell cross, Dilyn, a county MP went one better - taking a cardboard cutout of Boris Johnson along to receive it.

David Warburton, MP for Somerton and Frome, took the life-sized standee of Boris Johnson to Butleigh to accept a bespoke, hand-made dog bed from pet accessory business Barka Parka.

Barka Parka is owned by former veterinary nurse Emma Aitken and Richard Burdett.

“When Richard and I heard that Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds had adopted a rescue Jack Russell cross, we wanted to offer the prime ministerial pup a comfortable, hard-wearing, luxury bed, fit for his new home in Downing Street,” said Emma.

“Hand-made, filled with compostable BioFoam beans and finished in Conservative blue with a removable, washable, durable cover, we’re confident Dilyn will enjoy his new bed for many years to come.”

Mr Warburton added: “Sadly the Prime Minister himself wasn’t available to come and accept Dilyn’s gift in person, so I was honoured to bring a life-sized, cardboard stand-in – surely the next best thing.

"In all seriousness, Barka Parka is a remarkable, forward-thinking Somerset enterprise, pioneering environmentally-friendly pet beds using compostable BioFoam beans.

"I’m sure Dilyn will not only appreciate the comfort and style of his new bed, but also feel proud of its eco-friendly properties.”