A POPULAR secure dog park in Westhoughton has launched a dog walking service to help pet owners who are at work during the day.

The Westhoughton Dog Park opened up in March, providing a secure two-acre pen where dogs can run free and use RSPCA-approved agility equipment, operating on a hourly-booking basis.

It proved so popular that in June the park opened up a second enclosure without equipment, catering for all canine fitness levels.

Now the business, run by husband and wife team Donny and Dawn Janciauskas, has embarked on a new venture by offering a dog collection service.

A special van has been adapted with bespoke dog units so the animals can travel securely.

The service covers areas within a 10 mile radius and costs £12.50 per dog.

Dawn said: "It's already going really well and everyone who booked for the first day has already booked again.

"We've made sure that the van is top of the range, each of the dog units has an escape release hatch and the van has been fitted with fans for air circulation.

"There is also blue lighting inside which soothes the dogs while they travel.

"We can have six dogs to a group and we can accommodate two groups at a time across the site.

"The dogs get a good hour of running around and because we are secure they don't come into contact with anyone else and they can run freely.

"I think people are comfortable using the service as we are a reputable dog park and they know that the dogs are somewhere safe.

"Ideally it would be good if we could have regulars using the service so that the dogs are familiar with us and the van.

"A few of the owners messaged me after the first day to say that their dogs had slept so well that night which was good to hear.

"I think lots of people became dog owners during the pandemic but now that they are returning to work,these dogs need something to keep them occupied during the day."

To book onto the service, you can contact the Westhoughton Dog Park via their Facebook Page, or call Dawn on 07710410082.

The park is based in Jack's Lane, Westhoughton, and features locked enclosures with CCTV for added security.