A dogs charity is celebrating after 16 homeless hounds were found loving new homes to start their 2017 in.

The 'sweet 16', as they have been nicknamed by staff at Dogs Trust Snetterton, range from Boxers to Bull Mastiffs and have spent a combined 492 days at the rehoming centre.

The news comes after the charity revealed a 117pc increase in the number of people contacting the centre to discuss handing over their pets following Christmas.

The rehoming centre received almost 40 calls between December 20 and January 3 from individuals enquiring about giving up their dogs, in contrast to 18 phone calls received in the same period last year.

Amongst the posse of pooches to find their 'furever' home is one-year-old Bailey, who was brought into Dogs Trust Snetterton as a stray. The crossbreed has been adopted by Mr Rod Dennis from Aylsham.

Mr Dennis said: 'Bailey is an absolute delight and has completed our family.'

Diane McLelland-Taylor, Dogs Trust Snetterton rehoming centre manager, said: 'Whilst we have had a very positive start to the year and we have every faith that we can find the perfect homes for hundreds more stray and abandoned dogs, January always brings its own share of sadness with dogs coming to us for a variety of reasons, including some that have been bought as Christmas presents and cast aside when the appeal wears thin.

'People need to realise that owning a dog is a lifelong commitment not a passing phase and I would urge anyone thinking of getting a dog to do their research before making the decision to bring a four-legged friend into their homes.

'We are so pleased to see that the sweet 16 have got the new year off to a cracking start. We know they will be very happy with their new owners.'

Dogs Trust Snetterton rehomed almost 600 dogs in 2016.

If you are interested in giving any other Dogs Trust Snetterton residents a new home, call the rehoming centre directly on 0300 303 0292 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk