DOG wardens in Hartlepool have issued a big thank you after admitting they were humbled by the response to their Christmas appeal.

They were inundated with offers of support after asking people to donate food, biscuits and blankets to help cope with a pre-festive season surge in the number of stray and abandoned dogs.

The appeal was issued before Christmas when Hartlepool Borough Council's 20-space Low Fallowfield Re-Homing Centre at South Hetton was close to full capacity, with 17 animals in residence.

Dog warden John Wilkin said: "We expected a good response, but did not anticipate anything on this scale. In fact, the reaction of local people was totally humbling.

"I would just like to say a great big thank you to everyone who offered support. It certainly helped to ease the strain of what is always a particularly busy time and make life more comfortable for the animals."

Mr Wilkin said he would also like to thank the RSPCA shop in Hartlepool which passed on a number of items, and Peterlee company EDS.

So much aid was received, the dog wardens arranged for two vans to take food and other items to the Ramshaw Rescue Kennels in West Auckland, County Durham.

The appeal has also resulted in more inquiries from people willing to offer homes to dogs, meaning the council has been able to maintain its record of putting to sleep less than five per cent of the animals taken into care.