Dog owners are being encouraged to join the Great Wimbledon dog walk to raise money for an animal charity.

London's pampered pooches and their two legged friends are being invited to take part in a dog walk 'Walking for Paws' which is back following a successful campaign last year raising £3,000 for pet charity Blue Cross.

The walk organised by The Hand in Hand pub in Wimbledon will be held on April 14 across Wimbledon Common involving a 2.4 or 4.4 mile walks and will begin and end at the pub in Crooked Billet on the edge of the common.

Assistant manager at The Hand in Hand, Christine Blackman who organised the event and will also be running the London marathon in April said: "We are known as the dog-friendly pub and it seemed like a good way to raise money.

"I set it up after running various London marathon's and thought the dog walk would be great idea."

The day will begin at 10am and will include morning refreshments, with the walk starting at 11am.

Registration is £16 per entrant with anyone interested to contact handinhand@youngs.co.uk for welcome packs and sponsor forms.

Early registration is advised to reserve your spot.

The Blue cross, pet charity does not receive any government funding and helps 40,000 pets every year, more than 30,000 through veterinary hospitals and clinics.