Walkers are being asked to take their four-legged friends for a new year stroll to help raise money for the district’s hospice.

Winter Walkies will take place on Sunday, January 27 from 10.30am at St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood, near Epping.

Last year, the event raised £5,000 – enough to run the hospice, which only receives about 25 per cent of its funding from the government, for a day.

Director of patient care Louise Cameron, who will be taking her Labrador Leo on the walk, said: “This is a lovely opportunity for everyone to get some fresh air and raise money for the hospice while doing so.

“Everyone who takes part should know their contribution is helping us to help patients and their families.”

The walk costs £10 per adult and £5 per child to enter and there will be prizes on the day for the most interesting wellies and a dog and owner lookalike competition.

For more information or to enter, call the hospice on 01279 773750.