A COMMUNITY youth project led a sponsored dog walk to give people a chance to get out and socialise with their animals.

Brandon Carrside Youth and Community Project, which organised the walk, is still counting up how much was raised but has so far collected about £70, which will be donated to the Dog's Trust.

More than 20 people and 10 dogs took part in the 5km walk around the Deerness Valley after setting off from the cricket club in Brandon.

Young people from the project's planning group, which includes people from youth club's in Brandon, Ushaw Moor, Esh Winning and New Brancepeth, made the decision to support the charity and raise awareness for World Veterinary Day.

Youth worker Rachael Avery said: "They're all animal lovers we had a walk last year which was so successful they decided to do it again.

"It chucked it down last year so we were very pleased to see the sun this year.

"We had some young people and some people who aren't connected to the youth project but wanted to come along which was good because we try to engage with the local community as much as possible.

"It was really great to bring the community together with young people. Quite often only bad things about young people get in the news so we try to promote the good things so people can see they are trying to do nice things for other people."