An annual dog show and family fun day will be held in Stevenage Town Centre Gardens next weekend.

The Dog Watch Carnival – in aid of Labrador Rescue – will open at 11am on Sunday, September 9, with a belly dancing display, followed by children’s games and a demonstration from Wrayfield Agility Club.

Classes for a fun dog show from 1pm until 3pm are £1.50 each and include Best Veteran, Best Puppy, Most Appealing Eyes and Best Child Handler.

Following a raffle, the event will finish at 4pm.

Dog Watch is a police initiative launched in 2009 with the aim of encouraging dog walkers to report suspicious incidents to the police, as well as incidents of flytipping and abandoned cars to the borough council.

Carnival organiser Paul Hawxby said: “It’ll be fun for all the family, with pony rides, reptiles, charity stalls, fun dog show, dog agility, food and bouncy castles. Come along, have some fun and raise some money for a great cause.”