NEW KENNELS

GEMMA Atkinson will attend the opening of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary’s new kennel block.

The former soap queen and model is president of the Edenfield sanctuary.

She will officially open the nine new kennels which have under floor heating and posh sleeping quarters for the dogs. It joins onto the dogs’ hospital which has seven further spaces.

The cost of this work, by Rosslee Construction, was £350,000 – funded through donations and legacies from animal lovers as well as £20,000 from Mars Petcare Pedigree. It’s the first part of a significant £1m Dog Centre redevelopment.

Gemma said: “I am delighted to open the new kennel block. “Obviously we would prefer all the animals to be in homes but, while waiting, these new kennels will make a difference to the lives of the dogs housed here.”

Gemma will be at Bleakholt on Sunday, November 25 at 1pm.