COUNTRYSIDE guardian the National Trust is hoping a decision to open the grounds of a stately home to dog owners - with their pets - will prove to have been a howling success.
The conservation charity, thought nationally to be down on its income by £750,000 because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, decided for one day of the year to welcome dogs on leads into the grounds of Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough.
Yesterday's exceptional occasion was a fun dog show, which included classes and prizes for such zany competitions as the fastest sausage eater and the best six legs.
"This year's restrictions caused by foot-and-mouth have caused lower-than-usual visitors to the hall, so we are running these events to give people the opportunity to support us," said event organiser Pippa Holt.
"The gardens, which are a reflection of the original Victorian design, are at their best at this time of year," she said, adding the hope that the canine visitors to the grounds would use the doggy loos which the National Trust provided.
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