A PACK of greyhounds entertained visitors to Lacock when they took over the village. The Great Global Greyhound Walk, organised by Ann and Steve Stanford, took place on Sunday, June 11, to raise awareness for rescued and ex-racing greyhounds and raise funds for the Smokey Paws charity.

This year’s walk saw its biggest attendance to date with about 60 greyhounds and 100 people walking along Hither Way from and to the National Trust car park, ending up with doggy treats for the hounds and a picnic for their owners.

Mrs Stanford, of Portman Road, Melksham, said: “The whole purpose of the day is to raise awareness of what great pets they make.

“Most of the greyhounds that took part have come from a racing background via the Retired Greyhound Trust in Swindon.

“They all have a very forgiving nature after their life on the track and adapt to life as a pet with relative ease, usually upside-down on the sofa.”

The walk, the third the couple have organised, took about an hour, to allow time for photos and to accommodate the pace of a 15-year-old lurcher from Bristol.

The day raised £144.43 for Smokey Paws, which gives fire brigades lifesaving oxygen masks for pets. "We heard about Smokey Paws through a friend, Mary Jackson, from Melksham, and we've already given a set of masks to the fire station in Melksham," Mrs Stanford added.