BARROW park was taken over by pugs from across the area as owners took part in the Pugs Rock Party on Sunday.

The event, organised by Becki Fishwick, 32, of Oxford Street, Barrow, was held as a networking event and also in memory of Becki's pug, Elvis, who died very suddenly last year at only six-months-old.

The bandstand at Barrow Park was surrounded by more than 50 pug owners from across Barrow and the surrounding areas, who then took part in a group walk around a section of the park.

Miss Fishwick, who now has another pug, Rose, said that event has made her feel extremely proud and grateful and that it is uniting dog owners in the area.

She said: "I remember when I had Elvis, when he had health problems I had no one I could turn to.

"That is what this event is about! Bringing people together to enjoy a great day out with their pets and meet other people who feel the same.

"I used to walk Elvis around this park as well so it felt right to host the walk here."

The walk at the event was almost matched by the array of accessories on some of the pugs that came along. Among some of the best were pugs wearing parka jackets, woolly hats, and in one instance an extraordinary bow tie.

Cath Dickinson, of Walney, was there with her pug Percy, aged 10, a former rescue dog who she took in nine years ago. 

She said: "I didn't realist there were so many pug owners in Barrow!"

"It is really good that people are getting together for this and it also promotes being active and healthy."

Another owner, Louise Dowds, of Barrow, with her 6-month-old pug, Poppy, said: "A lot of people have pugs because they have so much character.

"They extremely loving and funny and so loyal to you."

Miss Fishwick, who is a singer and will be performing at an Amy Winehouse tribute event in Barrow next month, added: "I'm looking to do another event like this in the next three months.

"Hopefully then we are also looking to do a couple of fun competitions such as the best dressed and the funniest on the day."

"I don't like to hang around with stuff and I would love to do something like this again."