A FUN dog show that attracts thousands of people and their furry friends is being held this Sunday.

The Friends of the Strays of Greece, based near Ringwood, is holding its biggest fundraiser of the year, which features a dog agility display team and 20 classes alongside a host of stalls.

The charity, which sent out £2,000 worth if food aid to dog sanctuaries in Greece last week after hearing there was no food in either of the two places, has been working hard to tackle the plight of hundreds of starving animals in Greece.

Volunteers are hoping that the dog show, at Burt’s Lane in Mannington (off the Horton Road) will help them to help many more.

The show opens at 10.30am and classes include best young handler, child’s best friend, best rescue, best crossbreed, best trick, best pedigree, fancy dress, best golden oldie and cutest puppy (six to 12 months).

And this year there will be every dog’s dream contest - best sausage catcher.

Lyn Purden, who runs the charity, said: “What with the financial crisis in Greece and with owners abandoning their pets even more, the numbers of stray cats and dogs are increasing massively.

“It’s always been hard for animals in Greece, and now the figure of one million stray dogs on the streets is thought to be accurate. Certainly a recent visit makes me believe this.”

She added: “Volunteer vets recently enabled us to trap and neuter 70 mainly female cats, which has prevented probably around 250 being born within six months and multiplying to getting on for a thousand within a year. On a daily basis, I get appeals from those who are actually involved in caring for strays in compounds – food and money has run out.

“The dog show is one of our major fundraisers and we are very grateful to the Solent Display Team for supporting our work once again – they donate their performance to us.

“Many of our Greek rescue dogs will be on parade. It’s a happy ending for the lucky ones and it just shows what our work can achieve with the generosity of the public.”

Entrance is £1.50, under 16s free. For full details go to www.straysofgreece.org or call 01425 478757.