KIND-hearted animal lovers are being urged to help keep canines cosy this Christmas.

Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre near Eve-sham, is hoping that people will join its campaign by knitting a doggie jumper for the dogs of homeless people.

The jumpers will be added to hampers for the hounds which the charity distributes as part of its Hope Project each year. The hampers include bowls, tinned food, leads, collars and toys.

The charity set up the project in 1994 to offer free and subsidised veterinary treatment to dogs whose owners are homeless or living in temporary accommodation.

Non-knitters can also help contribute to the hampers by buying toys and doggie treat stockings from whatidlove.co.uk – list number 99188 – and giving Hope Project, Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7RQ as the delivery address.

Clare Kivlehan, manager of the Dogs Trust Hope Project, said: “The bond between any dog and owner is a strong one, but for homeless people their dog can be their only friend. “Each year we’re delighted to be able to distribute these hampers to the homeless hounds to help make Christmas happier for them and their owners.

“We hope this year we will be able to make the festive season a little brighter with the addition of some cosy dog jumpers and fun toys.”

The jumpers should be simple and practical in design with no dangly adornments and made from a yarn that is easy to care for. Most dogs on the project are medium in size.

Jumpers should arrive at Dogs Trust Head Office, 17 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7RQ, no later than November 23. Free patterns can be found online or by e-mailing hopeproject@dogstrust.org.uk.