POLICE are trying to trace relatives of a woman who booked her two dogs into kennels, but died suddenly the next day.

Christine Dodd, aged about 50, asked Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, to care for the dogs - Jess and Bramble - because she would be "in and out of hospital" for a while.

The following day, police called at the centre to tell the owner, Kate Wilson, that Ms Dodd had died.

Her pets, cross-breds both aged about 12, were booked in last Saturday.

They did not have inoculation certificates so were put into the rescue section used for strays.

Ms Wilson said yesterday: "The lady said she was having to go in and out of hospital for two or three weeks, so to help her out we accepted both dogs.

"We were shocked and saddened when police came next day to say she had died.

"Officers have told us they can't trace her next of kin, but we hope that, if she has relatives in this area, they will come and claim the dogs. They are both pleasant and well-behaved."

Ms Wilson will try to find new homes for the dogs if they are not claimed. She said the pets will be given a "fostering basis" for several weeks in case relatives claim them.

Ms Wilson's daughter, Sammy, who spoke to Ms Dodd when she arrived with the dogs, said: "She seemed to be quite fit, though she said she was having to go in and out of hospital. We were sad to hear she died so soon after that."

Ms Dodd lived in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland. The centre would normally charge £13 a day for keeping the two dogs.

A spokesman for Bishop Auckland police said yesterday that the two officers who dealt with the incident were not available for comment, and no further information could be given.

People with any information are asked to contact the rescue centre on 01388-834644.