A Bristol couple who have helped to re-home unwanted and abandoned greyhounds and lurchers have set up a new dog welfare group.

Elkie Lonnkvist and her husband Paul Hopkins got involved with a welfare and rescue organisation in 2006 after taking in their greyhound Ruby.

But when they discovered that kennels and a cattery in Almondsbury were up for rent, they took the plunge and moved in.

As well as providing boarding for pets, the Cat Dee-tails Cattery and Kennels in Woodhouse Down is also home to their Dog Action Welfare Group Bristol – DAWG.

Since moving in, they have re-homed more than 35 dogs. Now Elkie, 29, and Paul, 27, are about to hold an open day to try and find even more new owners and show visitors some of the pets successfully given a second chance.

Elkie said: "There are a large number of ex-racing greyhounds and working lurchers in Ireland so we work closely with the Cork Dog Action Welfare Group. Some of the greyhounds have been racers and have come to the end of their careers, while others are too slow to race."

Their open day in South Road is on Sunday, September 6, from noon to 4pm and will also raise money for their charity work.