OWNERS and their canine companions will be out in force this weekend as a 'paw-pular' annual dog walking fundraiser will take place.

On Sunday, Paws for Thought will start out from Market Place in Dalton - next to Dalton Castle.

The two-mile charity dog walk aims to raise money for St Mary's Hospice and has been a huge success over the past few years.

The event is sponsored by Church Walk Veterinary Centre and will begin at 1pm.

St Mary's Hospice fundraising manager Emma Athersmith said: "We have more than 50 dogs who have already been signed up and now we are fully

booked. It is a very popular event and we have people who have returned year after year with their dogs. "There has been so much interest in this particular event that we are going to schedule another one in for the autumn, perhaps in September. 

"We are also helping out with the next Pug Rock event that will take place in Barrow in April. There is something about events involving dogs that captures people's hearts and gets them involved."

St Mary's Hospice head of income generation Zoe Guest will be attending the dog walk on Sunday with her own chocolate Labrador, Bailey.

Bailey has his own blog, on which he has been helping to promote the Paws for Thought walk on Facebook. It read: "The sun is shining, the snowdrops and crocuses are appearing and it feels like is spring is on its way. I cannot believe how many of you have sprung into action and registered for Paws for Thought. Thank you to all those who have supported me so far."

Pooches must be kept on leads as the walk meanders towards Barrow before turning onto the low road, at the bottom of Mill Brow. Dog participants are then welcomed back to the starting point for some well-earned refreshments.

For more information about upcoming dog walks, call 01229 580305.

READ MORE:  WITH VIDEO: 'Pug-Rock' event takes over Barrow park