AN animal charity is urging people not to buy dogs as presents this Christmas.

Dogs Trust Darlington is hosting its annual Christmas fair on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4.

The Rehoming Centre, at Hill House Farm, Sadberge, County Durham is open from noon until 4pm.

Dogs Trust Darlington cares for about 120 dogs at the Rehoming Centre at any one time and last year cared for almost 1,000 dogs.

The charity is well known for its slogan - A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas - which was coined by Clarissa Baldwin, the charity's chief executive 27 years ago.

Darlington centre manager, Sue Embleton, said: "Please don't get a dog as a present for someone - if you are looking for a present then come along to our Christmas fair. You will be able to find gifts galore, and know that your money is going towards helping the 12,500 dogs we care for, as a charity, every year."

Highlights of the Christmas fair include Christmas gifts, meet Santa Paws, book stalls, tombola, dog gifts, trade stalls and refreshments. Admission is a tin of dog food or a donation.