By Freya Hodgson

A brand-new award has been launched to sniff out the most dog friendly pub in the county.

Dorset Tourism Awards has announced the brand-new award category ‘Dorset’s Most Dog Friendly Pub of the Year’, that’s bound to set tails wagging this summer.

The award works in collaboration with natural pet food producer, Forthglade to discover which pub has gone the extra mile for our four legged friends.

Voting for nominations will be open throughout the summer, and in October three finalists will be chosen to attend an awards ceremony and receive The Dorset Tourism Awards Gold Accolade.

Robin Barker, organiser of the Tourism Award and dog lover said: “We’re really excited to be launching this new award, alongside Forthglade - recognising the region’s pubs that work so hard to make out dogs feel so welcome.”

While Dorset’s pubs are being encouraged to seek votes from their dog owning customers, voters have the chance of winning a dog-friendly prize package worth £1000, including a 2-night break and over £250 worth of Forthglade natural pet food.

The Tourism Awards celebrate excellence in tourism across Dorset and reward businesses succeeding in that industry.

Gerard Lovell, managing director of Forthglade said: “There’s nothing better than going for a long walk with your dog and finding a cosy pub for a bite to eat.”

He added: “It’s an honour to be teaming up with such a recognised awards body to shine a spotlight on the pubs that throw their doors wide open to our four-legged friends.

“This award will hopefully encourage even more pubs to embrace a first-class dog friendly policy.”

The award also runs Cornwall, Devon, Bath, Bristol and Somerset.

Judging takes place until autumn and the south west ‘grand finale’ takes place in Exeter Cathedral in February 2020.

To nominate your favourite dog-friendly pub visit forthglade.com/campaigns/dogfriendly

Entries close on the August 18 2019.