LOCHORE Meadows Country Park is to be the venue for an unusual event in March.

The Scottish SPCA is inviting dog walkers to join them at their first ever 5k 'Mutt Strut' at Lochore Meadows. Scotland’s animal welfare charity is putting on the inaugural event on the beautiful shores of Loch Ore.

The Mutt Strut event will happen on Sunday March 24 and starts at 2pm and the SSPCA hope that dog owners from the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area will get involved.

Sharon Comrie, animal rescue and rehoming centre superintendent, said, “We’re extremely excited to host our first ever 5k Mutt Strut and the setting of Lochore Meadows is the perfect place for it.

“It’s open to those who have their own dogs or those who want to come along and enjoy the canine company!

“You can walk, jog, toddle or dance your way around the 5k route."

Sharon added: “It starts with a walk around Lochore Meadows and finishes at the beach, a favourite spot for many dogs, and there may be a few keen to take a dip in the loch!

“As it will be spring, it’s an exciting time for dogs as there’s lots of interesting smells around.

“Our friends from Fife Coast and Countryside will be educating people on The Scottish Outdoor Access Code and letting dog owners know how they can be responsible countryside users by considering livestock, wild animals and the environment.

“Fife Council Safer Communities will be offering free microchipping for dogs at the event too".

Some local businesses will be there to support the event, such as Potty Mouth Makes, Voda-Bone and PAWWS.

Sharon concluded: “We hope that the 5k Mutt Strut will help us raise vital funds to help rehabilitate, rehome and release animals in Scotland.

“We receive no government funding so we rely entirely on the support of the public.”

Tickets for the Mutt Strut are £12.50 which includes a t-shirt, and children and dogs go free.

Tickets can be booked online at www.scottishspca.org/muttstrutfife

To book tickets over the phone or if you’d like to volunteer at the event, you can contact fundraising@scottishspca.org or call 03000 999 999 (option 4).