DOG lovers from Dorset have written to Prince Charles to tell how their new group has become a howling success in Dorchester.

Dr Dinah Parums, who has a dog called Jigger, formed the social club for owners and their pets at the Poundbury development.

But the club's popularity grew and more than 20 humans and their dogs turned up for a group picture at the Brownsword Hall in Pummery Square.

Now Dr Parums has written to tell animal lover Prince Charles about the new Poundbury Dogs group.

She said: "At first a few friends and their dogs got together for walks.

"Interest spread and when a group photograph was arranged, 19 dogs and 21 humans showed up."

Dr Parums, who has lived in Hintock Street for 18 months, formed the group after realising how many retired people and young children there were at Poundbury.

Residents Eve and Bev Stephens took the photograph, which featured a variety of families, individuals and youngsters.

The dog owners in the picture included Lois and Georgina Woolley, Tony Miller, Jill Parmenter, Bob and Jean Shave, Dinah Parums, Jean Macintyre, Phillip and Pam Pham, Chris and Judy Hext, Margaret Wagner, Victoria Bevan, Ann and Douglas Cater, Matthew and Melanie Young, Sofia and Eva Thomas-Tudo and Sal Anderson.

Dr Parums said that Poundbury was a dog lover's dream which left pets 'healthy, happy and well-behaved'.

She added: "At present there are up to fifty dogs living in Poundbury.

"They can enjoy quiet streets, adjacent walks including Maiden Castle and the Poundbury Village Stores which supplies a variety of dog food to request.

"There's the Poet Laureate pub and the excellent Castle Veterinary Clinic, which also provides dog-grooming and dog-sitting."