A LONG-distance footpath which runs along the Dorset coast has been recognised for being dog-friendly.

The South West Coast Path has been voted the winner of the 'Great Outdoors' award as part of the annual DogFriendly Awards.

The awards, organised by DogFriendly and supported by the Kennel Club as part of their Be Dog Friendly campaign, took place during a special presentation at Eukanuba Discover Dogs in London in October.

The dog-loving British public voted in their thousands for their favourite dog-friendly businesses and places as a way of recognising and celebrating those that go the extra mile to make man’s best friend feel welcome.

The South West Coast Path beat competition from a variety of outdoor spaces to be crowned the winner. When nominating the long-distance footpath, members of the public described it as ‘a wonderful place to be, with outstanding natural beauty’, and a number of voters claimed that walking the path was ‘the best thing I have ever done’.

Director of South West Coast Path, Esther Pearson, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won this award. We work to promote and protect the path for everyone including those on four legs, who enjoy it just as much as we do. Many of our team and members are dog owners, so we know all too well how important it is to have the right information about where you can take your dog, be it walks, access to beaches or places to eat and stay."