A DOG lover has signed up to take part in a walk with her pet in memory of her father.

Nicola Wilson-Austin and her dog Maya, will be raising money for St Cuthbert’s Hospice in the Paws for a Cause dog walk at the Chester-le-Street's Riverside Park on Sunday, March 5.

Her father, Norman Wilson, passed away at the hospice in-patient unit in Durham last year.

Nicola said: “It was important to me that Dad and Maya liked each other and so Dad came with me to meet Maya at the shelter before we adopted her.

"Dad would come to my house every day to look after Maya whilst I was at work. Maya is as much Dad’s dog as she is mine and my husband's. Dad loved all animals and he’s the reason I do too. I am very grateful he passed that trait on to me.

"Maya misses my Dad as much as the rest of the family, after dad passed away.

"I took Maya to my Dad’s house a few days before he went to St Cuthbert’s so they could say goodbye. It is lovely to know that we could have brought her to the hospice to visit."

Their are two two route options available, either 1.5 or 3 miles. Each dog will receive a doggy goody bag, rosette and certificate on completion.

There will be a dog show before the walk and a dog agility demonstration, as well as a variety of stalls to browse selling dog treats, pet supplies and more.

The Fun Dog Show starts at 11am and the walk begins at 12.30pm.

Registration for the walk is £10 per dog and £1 per category per dog for the Dog Show. To register visit www.stcuthbertshospice.com.