MORE than 1,000 visitors turned out for the first public outing by 100 full-sized ’top dogs’ and 21 ‘pups’ on show in the Haslemere Hounds Parade.

Many of those attending were also sponsors and had enjoyed helping to decorate their very own artworks displayed in Haslemere Museum grounds.

The town community charity arts project, building on the success of Haslemere Hogs and Haslemere Hares in 2017 and 2018, is on track to raise even more than the £85,000 netted for good causes by last year’s project.

Even more schools took part this year and some, including Stepping Stones and Rodborough decorated multiple hounds.

Project mastermind former town mayor Brian Howard and his daughter Melissa King of Marley Flowers were supported by Ashleigh Deane, Zoe Oliver and Elizabeth Yorke in staging this year’s canine epic – which is also backed by celebrities including Dame Julie Walters.

Brian, who created a ‘Barking’ hound, said: “I’m chuffed to bits by the huge amount of community engagement – that is our big reward. The feedback has been really positive and we have picked up more sponsors.”