A seven-year-old animal lover from Ashwell has taken it upon herself to raise money for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home by selling her own toys at this year’s Ashwell Show.

Billie Cook has always loved furry friends and – despite having two cats, two guinea pigs and a fish at home – she longs to spend time with dogs.

Mum Lucy said: “Her favourite is probably a dog and she has been asking for one for at least two years now! “It’s not the right time for us to have a dog at the moment, but Billie has always loved watching animal programmes like Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs, Super Vet, Secret life of the Zoo, and The Dog Rescuers With Alan Davies.”

Back in April Billie – who is in the brownies – wrote to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London, asking them if she could come and help in the kennels for a day to help gain her Friends to Animals badge.

Because of her age, Billie wasn’t able to but staff at the rehoming centre did invite her along for a visit – she also cat-sat for some friends before she went and earned £40 to take with her.

Lucy said: “After seeing all of the dogs and cats there and spending a lovely morning with the centre manager talking and looking at all the work they do, Billie decided it wasn’t much money and she wanted to help them raise some more.”

Now the Ashwell Primary School pupil has been given a stall at the Ashwell Show on August 28 so she can sell some of her own books and toys, along with with homemade crafts and blankets made by family, friends and neighbours.

Mum Lucy, who is a woodburning crafter, dad Phil, who works in marketing, brother Teddy, four, and the rest of her family are all very proud.

Lucy added: “We are chuffed to bits with what she’s doing, she’s a lovely and very caring girl and we just want to support her in what she wants to do.”

Lucy has a £500 target for Battersea – to help her reach her total go to www.justgiving.com/billies.