IT will be a brighter Christmas for dogs rescued from the streets and spending the festive season in kennels.

Deerness Kennels, in Langley Moor, near Durham City, is home to about 30 dogs either abandoned or found wandering on the streets.

There is only so much money available for them to be kept and if their owner or a new home is not found quickly they are put down.

But an anonymous benefactor from Newton Hall, in Durham, has secured donations of food and supplies, such as collars, blankets and toys, from local pet stores to ensure the dogs survive until the New Year.

Kennels boss Kevin Forsyth said: "We can now feed them all on a good quality food until the New Year. None will be put to sleep until after then.

"None of us wants to put dogs to sleep and every penny extra we get helps.

"We also had a donation of £25 yesterday that provides for a stray for a week.''

Among the dogs hoping for a brighter future in 2005 is Holly, a Collie cross, who was rounded up by a dog warden in the streets of South Moor, near Stanley, nine days ago.

"She is lovely,'' said Mr Forsyth. "The vet says she is attentive, loving and would be ideal for an old age pensioner who wants a companion."

Anyone looking to re-home a dog can get further details from the kennels on 0191-378 0439.