TAILS were wagging when an MP paid a special visit to a North-East dog rehoming centre.

Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, met some of the dedicated staff and four-legged residents at the Dogs Trust, in Sadberge, near Darlington, during a recent visit.

While there, he discussed key frontline issues with staff at the centre, including the importance of microchipping and neutering dogs, as well as the education work carried out by the charity in communities across the region.

Denise Kelly, the charity’s education and community manager for the north of England, said: “We were delighted to welcome Phil to Dogs Trust Darlington.

“He was really keen to understand our rehoming process and was particularly interested in the education work we do in communities and with young people in schools.

“We explained that the key focus of our education work is to help people understand what it means to be a responsible dog owner, and what it takes to keep a dog happy and healthy.”

Speaking after the visit, Mr Wilson said: “It was a very useful and informative visit and I was impressed by the work Dogs Trust staff are doing, both in caring for dogs without homes and in working on welfare issues.”

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. For information visit dogstrust.org.uk