A NEW drinking fountain for pet owners and their four-legged friends has been put in place outside a popular beachside visitor centre in Bournemouth.

The drinking fountain at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre is helping to keep dogs refreshed in the hot weather by allowing them to drink from the low bowl by either lapping up water from a pool or via a spout.

It was donated by Bournemouth Parks Foundation who fundraised £2,000 for the device.

Amanda Kuhne, a dog walker, said: “It’s great to have such a novel, useful facility here.

“As you can see Mishka is loving the water – especially in this heat! “Almost every time we use it, a fellow dog walker comments about how wonderful it is and how they wish every local park had one.”

Cathi Farrer, from Bournemouth Parks Foundation, said: “We’re really pleased to have provided this fountain.

“We’re now fundraising for the next fountain and would like you to choose which park it goes in.”

Now dog owners are being given the chance to decide the next fountain should be installed.

People are being urged to take part in a vote from three options on where the new fountain should be located.

The three options are Kings Park, Queens Park and Fisherman’s Walk.

Voting closes on August 4. To cast your vote visit Facebook.com/BournemouthParksFoundation

A dog and family festival will be held at Hengistbury Head on Friday, August 3, from 10am to 3pm, with proceeds going towards the next doggie drinker fountain. A fundraising page has been set up to raise £2,000. To donate visit https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/5386#/DonationDetails.

Last year Poole’s popular Upton Country Park introduced a pay-as-you-go dog wash facility for mucky pups which allows canine owners to wash and dry their dogs for £3.

Owners are able to choose from a wide range of options, including environmentally friendly shampoo, flea and tick shampoo, conditioner, and a blow-drying function.

It followed on from the success of a dog washing machine in Sandbanks which opened in 2016.