RECENTLY-elected Mid Dorset & North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson has thrown his weight behind a Kennel Club initiative championing dog-friendly businesses.

The Conservative MP attended the launch of the annual Be Dog Friendly Awards at a Wareham pub, alongside his pet Labrador Bella.

He told the Daily Echo: "It was absolutely brilliant to meet the landlady and some of her staff and see some of their dogs as well.

"I think it is a really good Kennel Club initiative as we are a nation of animal lovers.

"It is brilliant that businesses are supporting people being able to take their dogs into them, and the pub is a great place to start."

The awards, launched locally on Thursday at the Horse and Groom, St John's Hill, Wareham, are part of a search to find the UK's most dog-friendly places.

A Kennel Club spokesman explained: "The competition, now in its ninth year, is part of the Be Dog Friendly campaign which aims to break down barriers for man's best friend by encouraging more businesses and public spaces to welcome dogs through their doors."

These awards are held in association with Dog Friendly, the UK's leading directory with more than 32,000 entries including dog-friendly hotels, cottages, pubs, beaches, camping and caravan sites.

The spokesman added: "With over nine million dogs in the UK, and around one in four households owning a dog, the great British public is always on the lookout for places their four-legged family members are also welcome."

There will be ten Be Dog Friendly Awards for excellence, with the winners determined by public vote.

Visit bedogfriendlyawards.co.uk to vote for your favourite dog-friendly place before the September 15 deadline.