TV star Julian Norton is set to lead hundreds of animal-lovers on ‘Yorkshire’s Biggest Dog Walk’ to raise money for local hospice care.

Mr Norton, who stars in the hit Channel 5 series The Yorkshire Vet, is backing the initiative to raise vital funds for Northallerton-based Herriot Hospice Homecare and Saint Michael’s, which serves the Harrogate district.

The walk will take place on Sunday July 29 at 10am, and will see pooches from across the region join Mr Norton and The Yorkshire Vet team for a 5k sponsored stroll through the countryside surrounding Thorp Perrow, Bedale.

Those taking part are encouraged to raise as much as possible in sponsorship to enable their chosen hospice care charity to support more people affected by terminal illness and bereavement across North Yorkshire.

Celebrity vet Julian Norton will lead the pack with his Jack Russell Emmy.

He said: “Emmy and I are really looking forward to seeing so many dogs of all shapes and sizes flying the flag for Yorkshire.”

Mr Norton said: “The Yorkshire Vet team is really excited to be involved in the event, which is set to be a perfect day out for the whole family, with the pets we are so passionate about front and centre.

“As someone who lives and works in the North Yorkshire community, I understand the difference organisations like Herriot Hospice Homecare and Saint Michael’s make to local families, and would urge people taking part to get behind these very special charities.”

There will also be a fun-filled Dog Show, judged by Mr Norton with categories from ‘Waggiest Tail’ to ‘Dog who looks most like their owner’.

Entry is £7.50 per dog, and two humans go free when signing up with their pet. Visit yorkshiredogwalk.com