DOG wardens have scooped two national awards for their care of stray animals.

Darlington Borough Council's dog warden team has once again been awarded the Stray Dog Footprint Award in the RSPCA's 2018 Pawprints awards.

And because the team has held the award at gold level for more than five years, and in recognition of Pawprints' tenth anniversary, the team was also awarded a platinum gong.

The awards are the only ones across England and Wales which recognise good practice from local authorities in relation to animal welfare.

Andy Wood, Darlington’s Dog Warden said: ““We are a small team and we work hard to ensure the highest possible animal welfare standards in the borough.”

One added element that helps enhance the Dog Warden’s service is the team’s dog food collection initiative, which has collection boxes at Asda in Whinbush Way, Wilko in the town centre, and at the council’s Central House Annexe, Gladstone Street.

Shoppers donate dog food which then goes towards struggling families who are finding it hard to feed their pets.