A Selby-based charity is hoping to start a dog-walking craze as it appeals for volunteers to exercise their furry life-savers this summer.

Hearing Dogs For Deaf People, which has a training centre at Cliffe, are desperate for members of the public willing to walk the dogs during July and August.

The dogs spend some of their day learning how to be a hearing dog but, when they are not learning these skills, their trainers like to get them outside to expend some energy.

Jan Smith, manager of the centre, said: "Our kennel staff obviously like to take their holidays during the summer like everyone else, which leaves us a bit short-handed on the dog walking side.

"I really want our trainee hearing dogs to relax after they have been to 'school', and I am hoping that there are people in the Selby area who would like to help us give them some fun in the sun."

Selby was recently awarded the first-ever Hearing Dog Friendly Town Award by the charity in recognition of the positive attitude adopted by organisations, businesses and residents towards these animals. For more information about walking a hearing dog, please call Jan Smith at the Beatrice Wright Training Centre on 01757 638666.

Eight puppies and their mother have been rescued from marshland in Brotherton after a local resident heard their cries.

The bitch and her three-day-old litter were discovered on Saturday, and Selby District Council's dog warden, Bill Parker, was alerted.

The mother, a Collie cross, has been provisionally named Marsha and Mr Parker says they will be keeping a very close eye on the animals.

Mr Parker collected the frightened dogs, who would have been abandoned some time that morning, and took them to the kennels in Selby.

It is hoped that the puppies will be able to leave their mother in eight weeks and the kennel is hoping to find good homes for all of them.

If you have any information about the owner of the dogs, contact Bill Parker on 01757 292123.

Updated: 12:10 Tuesday, July 01, 2003