ALL canines great and small went walkies at the weekend to help raise thousands of pounds for charity.

From Dobermans to dachshunds, poodles to pugs, hundreds of four legged fundraisers and their owners turned out for the third annual St Teresa’s Hospice Bark in The Park event on Sunday.

A record 546 dogs took part in the one-mile sponsored walk around South Park, Darlington, helping to raise more than £10,000 for the hospice which offers services to residents of Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.

The charity’s community fundraising manager Scott Marshall said: “I am absolutely speechless – the number of dogs and their owners here today has exceeded all of our expectations.

“People have travelled from all over the North-East just to be with us today and the support has been amazing. This is our third year and the event just keeps on getting bigger and bigger.”

The walk, sponsored by Jollyes Pet Superstore and supported by Stanhope Park Veterinary Surgery and Harringtons, was officially started by Darlington Mayor Cllr Jan Taylor.

Prizes were awarded in fun show classes, including best dressed dogs and waggiest tail were won by Dalmatians Lexi and Arion with their owners Zara, Loraine and Darren Knott, of Darlington, and three-year- old Cockerpoo Alfie with owner Don Cobb.