AN animal lover has applied for her temporary kennels for rescued and retired dogs to become permanent - and says the consequences of the application being turned down "doesn't bear thinking about".

Animal-mad Kathryn Harris wants her dogs home to become a permanent feature in Little Lever, following a successful 12-month trial period.

Although it has been earmarked for approval, Mrs Harris said she would be unable to rehome many of the older dogs if the application is refused.

The kennels were granted temporary approval to allow Bolton Council to monitor potential problems over the year. After receiving no complaints about noise disturbance, Mrs Harris has applied to make the dogs' home permanent.

The kennels house 14 dogs, all of which have been rescued or rehomed by Mrs Harris. There are 13 greyhounds, some of which are still racing.

She also has an Alsatian which was bought to act as a guard dog after an attack on Mrs Harris' horse Gus, who died last year, shortly after being badly burned when an arsonist set fire to his stable.

The wooden structure, similar to a stable block, is on land behind Mrs Harris' Cedar Avenue home, where the dogs have more than three acres of land to exercise.

They live alongside four geese and four horses on the land, some of which Mrs Harris has owned for more than 30 years.

Since Mrs Harris has submitted the application, Bolton Council has received two complaints, on the grounds of noise disturbance and worries that the premises will be used as a commercial kennels.

But Mrs Harris, aged 46, said: "There are many racing dogs which are not looked after and cared for when they retire and they get a raw deal.

"I'm giving them a place to live, and looking after dogs is like a hobby to me. People seem to worry that it is a commercial venture, but they're all my own dogs and they need a home. God only knows what they expect me to do if it is refused. I don't want to think about it."

The scheme was previously refused on the grounds of noise and disturbance to local residents, but the plan has now been earmarked for approval by Bolton Council after no complaints were received in the trial period.

It has also been agreed that the use is appropriate in the green belt area.