A PAIR of doting dog lovers were compelled to do their bit for the £4m Acorns Children's Hospice Three Counties Appeal after a neighbour's "beautiful" little girl died at the age of nine.

Bob and Lynda Smith raised £1,140 from their dog companion show at Evesham Country Park and Garden Centre last month after being struck by the plight of the youngster's family.

It is another boost for the appeal for a state-of-the-art hospice that hit the £3m mark this week.

"She was the prettiest thing with auburn ringlets," said Lynda.

"Before she died, her family had to stay at this horrible little dormitory in Bristol to be near her.

"When Acorns started fundraising for a new hospice in Worcester, we thought, we've got to do something and so we did what we knew best."

Despite the blistering heat, around 700 dogs and their owners scampered to enter the show on Sunday, June 15, which featured categories for best child handlers, best long and short coat, handsomest dog and even the dog with the waggiest tail.

Pedigree and crossbreeds were all welcome, with the top dogs trotting off with rosettes and certificates, courtesy of Vonjoli Rosettes of Worcester.

Barked

And the overall best four-legged friends barked with joy to see their owners pick up lead crystal cut glass decanters and glasses from Top Table.

Broadway-based Mrs Smith, who is a keen fundraiser for Shetland sheepdogs or 'Shelties', with two of her own, said it was an "absolutely brilliant" day.

"There were easily more than 1,000 people there even though it was about 80 degrees and some dogs were wearing reflectors on their backs," she said.

"We would like to organise another one but urge people to bring water along with them next time."

After hitting the £3m mark, Acorns is to start considering tenders from builders for the new 10-bed Bath Road facility in Worcester.