A pet owner who gave up her office job to work with pooches has set up a dog-walking business.

Happy Paws Pet Services is a private enclosure where dogs can be exercised in New Road, Sheerness.

The 8,000 sq ft facility is designed to be a safe and secure environment where owners can take their canine companions, with sessions lasting half an hour or an hour.

As well as catering for people who want to take their dogs for solo or group walks, trainers can also use the venue for classes.

Founder Tuesday Charlton, who has a cockapoo called Daisy, has put in two new gates with wire-mesh 1.5m fencing.

There is also a parking area, agility equipment, doggie toys, a waste bin and a drinking water dispenser.

Miss Charlton previously worked as an admin officer for a number of car companies before starting Happy Paws, and has set up the enclosure with the help of her partner and fellow Minster resident Callum.

He will be welcoming customers to the enclosure as his sheet metal fabrication company, Allbart Ltd, is next to it in New Road.

Miss Charlton said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of bookings and support we’ve had thus far as we have been completely blown up with people contacting us.

"I’ve also gone from a normal 9-5 office job realising it wasn’t for me, to looking at the bond I have with my own dog who has been with me for six years, and falling in love with dogs everywhere.

“Not all dogs are sociable and have particularly good recall, so we wanted to create a safe, enclosed field for them to play, train and exercise in.

“That includes those enquiring for personal hire - so a normal house owner wanting to take their dog for a runabout - or people conducting dog classes, either one-to-one or in groups, so that’s been brilliant.

“There’s nothing like this in Sheerness that I’m aware of having done research and I think that’s why we have had a lot of people reach out already.

“I think a lot of people got dogs around the pandemic and some of those aren’t 100% able to exercise them if they’re older or struggling with their health.

“I also have my own public liability insurance for the dog walking, whereas professional trainers can come in and use the facility from elsewhere by simply carrying out their own risk assessment.”

For more information, you can visit the Happy Paws Pet Services website here.

People taking their dogs will be charged £5 for a 30-minute visit and £7 for one hour.

Customers can also book 10 block sessions of 30 and 60 minutes for £40 and £60 respectively.