House fires can bring heartbreak to families with loved ones losing their lives and prized possessions going up in flames - but it can also be devastating for pets.

And King's Lynn-based Mill House veterinary surgery and hospital hopes to raise enough money to supply sets of pet oxygen masks to the town's fire service.

These pet oxygen masks are supplied by Smokey Paws - a not for profit charity aiming to ensure that the whole of the UK fire service carry pet oxygen masks to help resuscitate family pets in the event of smoke inhalation during a fire.

Dr Sarah Colegrave, clinical director at the Tennyson Avenue-based surgery, said: 'Pets are part of the family and their care is at the heart of what we do, therefore we are raising this money to support our local fire service in the community.

'We are hoping to raise enough money to be able to gift sets of Smokey Paws masks to each of the three fire engines at King's Lynn fire station.'

Lee Prior, from King's Lynn fire station green watch, said: 'We fully support this fundraising initiative, as we realise that pets are part of people's families.'

The sets cost £90 each and contain three masks - one for dogs, one for cats and one for small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

To help Mill House reach its target visit its Justgiving page https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Mill-House

Have you recently lost a pet in a fire? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk