TAILS are wagging in Branscombe ahead of a special birthday party.

A doggy birthday party will take place at Branscombe beach on Monday, September 6.

This is the sixth year that Richard Fuell, of Parkfield Terrace, has organised the event for his pooch Dave and her two sisters Pip and Holly It is a private party, for family members canine and human.

The pups’ dad Sam, mum Sky, her brother Finlay and cousin Marby are invited, along with Dave four one-year-old pups Cheino, Trigger, Shanty and Misty. All of the blue merle collies live in the village, apart from Shanty and Misty, who are coming from Oxford and Exmouth respectively.

It all began when Sky’s owners, Jill and Tony Johnson, of Cotte Close, wanted to mark the pups’ first birthday. Jill said: “What started as a silly funny idea has snowballed into quite an event and it’s grown every year since.”

Last year there were more dogs than people – 25 to 23 - and everyone sang happy birthday.

Richard, 29, who works at the Sea Shanty restaurant at the beach, said: “All the dogs go mental, running around and playing.”

This party could be poignant. Richard said: “Finlay’s getting old, he can’t get around like he used to. This may be the last time they are all here together.”