A national charity which aims to keep elderly and terminally ill people and their pets together for as long as possible has issued an appeal for Hitchin dog-lovers to step forward and take a lead.

The Cinnamon Trust recruits a network of volunteers who can step in to help when day to day care for a four-legged friend starts becoming a headache for ailing owners.

The charity’s Tanya Swanson said: “Our aim is to relieve the owners of any worry concerning the welfare of their pets both during and after their own lifetime, making us unique amongst charities.

“We are now looking for dog- walking volunteers to help someone who lives in Hitchin.

“All volunteers help in the ways that are most appropriate to them.

“Teams take it in turn to visit housebound owners, to take dogs for daily walks, and volunteers foster pets as one of their family when owners face a spell in hospital.

“They can also take pets to the vet, even clean out the budgie’s cage.”

The Trust prides itself on being ready to take any problem posed in day to day care of pets.

If you’d like to know more about the Hitchin opportunity, which involved providing walks for a two-year-old German shepherd dog, you can contact Sally Collins direct on 01736 758707 or email sallycollins@cinnamon.org.uk.