Pooch owners from Tyneside are celebrating becoming world record breakers following a mass dog walk.

The region recently hosted the Great North Dog Walk, which saw 17,427 hounds take part in the event, the Shields Gazette reports.

Some 12,339 canines joined in with 2008's festivities, meaning this year's entrants secured an entry into the Guinness World Records for the largest dog walk.

Deputy mayor of South Tyneside Tom Pigott was present to launch the event and pointed out the assistance it provides to animals in need.

He told the paper: "This is an amazing event which gets better every year.

"It's also good because of the money the event raises for dog charities. It puts South Tyneside on the map and it's up there with the Great North Run in my eyes."

The event was launched in 1990 and has broken the world record for being the biggest dog walk 14 times.