A CHARITY which helps rehome dogs welcomed thousands of owners to its annual fun day.

Dogs Trust Basildon held the event at Barleylands Farm, Barleylands Road, Billericay.

The centre, based in Nevendon Road, Wickford rehomes dogs that have been abandoned or whose previous owners are unable to care for them anymore.

So far the centre has rehomed more than 250 dogs in 2018 already.

The charity fun day saw £18,000 raised on the day, from the estimated 3,500 visitors, but this amount is expected to grow even higher in the coming days.

Samantha Davis, Dogs Trust Basildon’s support relations officer, said: “We are overwhelmed with the community support we received for this year’s fun day.

“Every penny raised will go towards helping the homeless hounds at Dogs Trust Basildon and help us to continue all that we do for the dogs in our care, until they find their forever homes.

“Our heartfelt thanks to everybody who came and supported our rehoming centre.”

A host of stalls offering arts and crafts and doggy merchandise were available on Sunday. May 13, with a parade of dogs currently in the centre’s care also appearing in the hope of meeting their future new owners.

If you’d like to adopt a dog from Dogs Trust Basildon, go to dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/essex/