ANIMAL lovers and those who enjoy the outdoors are being asked to put the two together and volunteer as dog walkers for the Cinnamon Trust in Warminster.

Operations manager Marnie Cude said: “We need more people to volunteer that’s the simple fact of the matter as we don’t have enough in Warminster or Wiltshire.

“We’d love to have more dog walkers but fostering is also something that we need both on a short term basis and a long term basis.

“We’re seeing an increase in demand but I think the need has always been there, it’s just we are becoming better known as a charity.

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without volunteers, they really are the life and blood of the charity.”

The Cinnamon Trust is a national charity for the elderly and terminally ill and their pets, providing walks when owners are housebound or fostering during hospital visits.

There are 235 volunteers in Wiltshire of which only 15 are based in Warminster.

Lynda Mortimer has volunteered for 15 years and currently walks a five-year-old black Labrador named Ebony.

The 61-year-old said: “I’ve always loved animals and had dogs of my own and it’s very important to have volunteers as the dogs love to go out. They don’t want to sit inside at home."

“I think it’s a relief for the owners as for one reason or another they are not able to walk their dogs but they are always so appreciative.

“The owners are happy, the volunteers are happy and so are the dogs so it works for everyone but I think the Cinnamon Trust are struggling to get volunteers in this area.”

To volunteer call 01736 757900 or email volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk