IT SHOULD be quite some sight. And anyone setting up a bone stall should do rather well.

On Sunday, April 10, in a scene reminiscent of a Disney movie, some 5,000 dogs will descend on Westport Lake for The Bark In The Park.

All shapes, sizes, and breeds of bow-wow will be doing their best to raise money for Arch, the Hanley-based charity which works with the homeless, families in need of support, victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and those seeking to return to education, training and employment.

Well, Okay, the dogs might not be doing their best to raise money, but their owners certainly will.

Among them will be Natasha Caddy, boyfriend Jamie Wright and their 16-month-old Yorkshire Terrier Scrappy – possibly named after Scooby-Doo's troublesome nephew from the cartoon series, although he was given the title by a previous owner so Natasha's not too sure.

Natasha works with her mum at Dial A Dog Wash in Newcastle. And it was there that she decided to take on Scrappy after he became available.

"He's a really lovely dog," says Natasha, "very bouncy and active and always excited about something. He's got a really lovely personality and loves other dogs and people – which is handy when you think how many will be at Bark In The Park!"

Natasha's dad Dave, dog-grooming entrepreneur with Dial A Dog Wash and dog behavioural expert, has teamed up with Peter Herbert, owner of Kidsgrove's Noah's Ark Pet Shop, to help organise this event.

"The reason why we want so many dogs and owners to attend," says Dave, "is so we can offer entry to the owners for just £5 per dog. This way I believe there will be none of the usual pressure for entrants to get sponsors, unless they really want to, and every penny raised from the entrance fee is going to Arch."

Owners don't have to pre-enter. They can just roll up on the day. There are two walks on the day to suit all sorts. Walk A starts at Westport Lake and consists of three laps around Westport Lake. Walk B heads off from the Vodafone Call Centre, Festival Park, and follows the route along the Trent and Mersey Canal culminating in one lap around the lake. The event starts at 10am.

"What Dave and Peter are doing is fantastic and totally different to any other event I have been involved with," adds Arch ambassador Ray Elks.

"There will be a goody bag for all entrants, including a free photographic portrait of their pet, and there'll be lots of entertainment going on throughout the day."

For more information about Bark In The Park contact Ray Elks at Arch North Staffs on 01782 204479, or the Noah's Ark Pet Shop on 01782 782073.