EVEN furry four-legged family members can get in on the Old Town Festival fun this year with a series of canine-themed events set for June.

The Fun Family Dog Show will set the tails a-wagging at The Lawns on June 7, from noon. The event will raise money for Swindon Needy Dogs.

There will be 12 classes to enter, including Glamorous Girlie, Loveable Lad, Adorable Adolescent, for pups aged between six months and two years, Puppy Love, for puppies aged under six months, Sensational Senior, Beauty and The Beast, Softest Staffie, Best Child Handler, for owners aged 16 and under, Remarkable Rescue, Fabulous Family Dog, Best Biscuit Catcher, Happiest Hound, Best in Show and Best in Show runner up.

There will be prizes for every first to fourth place winners in every category and each entrant will receive a rosette.

Jan Sangster, a volunteer with SNDogs, said: “Swindon’s Needy Dogs was set up in 2012 to help dogs in the pound find rescue places.

“As the rescues were becoming unable to take any more dogs we would need to assist them ourselves. We are still taking dogs from the pound as well as finding some spaces in other rescues but we are also now helping other dogs who may be at risk.”

As well as the dog show, Angela Richens, from Swindon Dancing Dogs, a finalist in a previous Britain’s Got Talent, will be doing a demo during the afternoon.

Then, at 4pm, the Pet Service will take place, led by preacher Margaret Williams from the team at Christ Church.

The special service will see a thanksgiving for all creatures great and small, with every furry family member from horses to ferrets and tortoises welcome to attend.

On June 8 there will be a special evening talk on Understanding the Language of Dogs at Commonweal School, and from 7pm, visitors will be able to hear qualified dog behaviour counsellor, Donna McDonnell, from Drove Vets.

The event is free but donations to Guide Dogs For The Blind will be welcome.

Josie Williams, Old Town Festival chairman, said: “We are so pleased Drove Vets has come on board to offer more animal-related events. I am an animal lover myself and, over the years, have had all manner of pets from dogs and cats to chickens, goats and ponies.”

To find out more about SNDogs and how you could help, call 07940 268101 or email swindonsneedydogs@gmail.com or visit sndogs.org.uk.

To reserve a place at the behaviour talk, email behaviour@drovevets.co.uk