A NEW pet store has taken the lead by sponsoring a popular event set to get tails wagging.

Jollyes pet superstore in North Road, Darlington, is backing St Teresa’s Hospice’s Bark in the Park spring fundraiser.

Last year’s event attracted 442 dogs and their owners and raised more than £11,000 for the much-loved hospice.

This year, Bark in the Park will be staged in the town’s South Park on April 15, attracting hundreds of dog owners for a one-mile walk and a host of pet paraphernalia stalls.

For Jollyes manager Andy McDonald, the sponsorship is an opportunity to support the hospice which helped his mother.

“I have first-hand experience of the fantastic work the hospice does for patients and their families as they looked after my mam,” he said.

“It is so important to have such a brilliant support network like this in the community and last year we were so impressed with the Bark in the Park event that we simply had to get involved.”

Dogs registered by midday on Friday, April 13, will receive a rosette and goody bag on completion of the walk, in return for an entry fee of £5 per dog.

Registration is open now at support.darlingtonhospice.org.uk/pages/bark-in-the-park