A SMALL team dedicated to helping stray dogs in Darlington have been recognised for providing an exceptional standard of service – for the seventh year running.

The town’s dog wardens have been named as one of the best teams in the country after earning a gold standard award from the RSPCA’s Community Animal Welfare Footprints (CAWF) scheme.

The CAWF scheme, which scrutinises local authorities across England and Wales, issued the award to Darlington Borough Council’s wardens after consistently meeting demanding criteria to warrant the accolade.

This year’s gold award is the seventh consecutive honour for the Darlington dog wardens, after the RSPCA launched CAWF in 2008.

Darlington’s Dog Warden, Andy Wood, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have once again achieved the gold standard, which is all down to the hard work of our small team.”

CAWF judges revealed that Darlington’s dog warden service went above and beyond statutory service requirements after the team launched a dog food collection initiative across the town.

Collection boxes in Asda, off Whinbush Way, Wilko’s and the council’s Central House Annexe, off Gladstone Street, are regularly collected by the dog wardens after members of the public are encouraged to donate tins of dog or cat food.

Mr Wood added: “The dog food collection is just one of the things we do to enhance our service and it’s proved a great success. We receive regular donations from all our collection points and it really does help make a difference.”

Donations are split between Darlington’s FoodStore Network and Deerness Kennels.