A KENNELLING facility in Lowton will be the new home for stray dogs in the borough.

Bancroft Kennels and Cattery on Slag Lane will take in dogs while Wigan Council officers reunite them with their owners.

The announcement comes two weeks after the local authority's contract with Leigh Dogs and Cats Home CIC to take in stray dogs came to an end.

The council recently created its own pest control and dog warden service and are collecting stray dogs in the community.

The combined service with Bancroft and the council will provide training to pest and dog control officers.

Bancroft Kennels, a family-run, fully licensed boarded kennel which was opened in November 2008, is set in six acres of open countryside.

Janet Foster, from Bancroft Kennels and Cattery, said: "Our primary focus as a family run business, is looking after animals in our care.

"The welfare of the dogs will always be paramount for us and being an establishment that promotes volunteering.

"We also want nurturing community members to feel that we are in a good position to deliver to the highest standard on this contract.

“We are really looking forward to working with Wigan Council."

The new contract came into force on Friday, June 1.

Cllr Carl Sweeney, cabinet member for environment at the council, said: “We are delighted to be working with Bancroft Kennels and Cattery for our new service.

“Our dedicated officers will be out and about in local communities so they can quickly collect any stray dogs that have been secured by the public and take them to Bancroft while we reunite them with their owner.”