CALLING all dog lovers with a fondness for wearing fancy dress.

West Highland White terrier owner and 1956 Miss Weymouth Sylvia Savidge, 70, of Moorside Avenue, is organising a charity dog walk along the Esplanade.

The plucky pensioner wants walkers to wear fancy dress and raise cash for the Stroke Club at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

She said: "I was supposed to go on a Westie walk in Brighton but that was cancelled so I thought 'Why not do one in Weymouth?'

"My brother had a stroke and my husband died of a stroke at 87 so the Stroke Club - which organises days out for stroke victims - seemed the perfect cause to choose.

"It was awful when my brother Harold had a stroke because he was a local builder and although he had retired he was still very active and being paralysed down one side is awful for him."

Mrs Savidge, who ran Pickwick Pantry in King Street for 14 years from 1973, said she was very fond of West Highland White Terriers and was sure there would be plenty of enthusiastic owners in Weymouth.

She added: "After I had a triple heart bypass we got two Westies. People thought I was mad getting them just after such a major operation. But they keep you healthy. They need walks twice a day and they are my little joys."

Mrs Savidge added that fancy dress was not essential and those not dressing up would also be welcome.

The Weymouth Westie Walk, from the Pavilion and the Pier Bandstand, is scheduled for August 21 and each participant will be asked to donate £1 to the Stroke Club.

Those taking part are asked to turn up at the Pavilion at 10.30am. For more information contact Mrs Savidge on 01305 782100.