Tails are wagging at Dogs Trust Merseyside this week after the charity received an early Christmas present from players of People's Postcode Lottery.

The charity lottery has pledged £100,000 to help the UK’s largest dog welfare charity to care for its 16,000 four-legged residents across its network of 18 rehoming centres in the UK and one in Ireland.

It is the first time the charity has received money from the players of a major lottery.

Dogs Trust’s iconic slogan “A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas” was created 35 years ago this December but is relevant today as the charity braces itself for an influx of unwanted dogs over the festive season.

The support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will help care for as many of these dogs as possible as they await loving new homes.

It will also help Dogs Trust invest in programmes in Merseyside to promote responsible ownership and reduce the number of unwanted dogs by promoting neutering, microchipping and education programmes targeted at the dog owners of tomorrow.

Dogs Trust’s team of 17 education officers, which includes an education officer for Merseyside, visit schools and engage with young children to promote safety around dogs and ensure they understand the responsibility of owning a dog.

The team has already spoken with over half-a-million children this year and the generous support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will help the charity fund a further five education officers across the country.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust chief executive, said: “We are delighted to receive the support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

“We rely entirely on the generosity of our supporters so this funding will make a huge difference to dog welfare in this country.

“Although our iconic slogan is known all over the world, we still see dogs and puppies all too frequently purchased as inappropriate Christmas gifts.

“Sadly, the festive season is still a very busy time of year for us with hundreds of these unwanted 'presents' ending up in our care and this funding will go a long way to help ensure they are as comfortable as possible as they await loving homes."