More than 100 'sausage dogs' with their owners helped to bring a dash of pre-Christmas colour to Southwold beach on Saturday.

They all gathered for a brisk walk from the pier to the harbour and back again – all the dogs were showing off their special Christmas sweaters that were helping to keep them warm during the cold run-up to the festive season.

The event was the first of its kind in the Suffolk resort, and began after local dachshund owner Laura Baggott decided to meet up with her dog-loving friends on the beach.

She said: 'I suggested we got together for a walk and put the invitation on Facebook.

'I decided to make it public and invite any other sausage-dog owners along and this happened. I counted 104 dogs – but then gave up. We may have had 150.'

They enjoyed it so much they are planning to have another gathering on Easter Saturday – March 31.