The department store Austins has opened its doors to the town’s four-legged friends.

Austins sales director, Paul Lewis, said: ‘We recognise how important dogs are to all of us in our lives – we are a nation of dog and cat lovers, as we all know.

‘Well-behaved dogs on leads are certainly more than welcome at Austins and we would like encourage people to come in with their dogs and know that they can shop comfortably with them.’

Newton Abbot town development manager, Sally Henley, said: ‘Newton Abbot has always been a dog friendly town, one only has to stroll through Courtenay Street on a Saturday to see that.

‘Many of our businesses are happy to welcome dogs and I was so pleased to learn that Austins has joined that merry band.’