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More than 100 join 'biggest' Staffy walk

Richard PriceWest Midlands
Staffordshire County Council A large group of people with dogs walking across an area of grass with trees either side. There is a man wearing a red ceremonial military uniform in the centre of the image with two dogs walking with him on leads. Many of the other people in the group also have dogs on leads.Staffordshire County Council
More than 100 people and their dogs came together on Saturday for the event

More than 100 people and their dogs came together on Saturday for what organisers believed could have been the region's biggest Staffordshire bull terrier walk.

The Big Staffy Stroll celebrated the end of a 10-week trail that encouraged people to explore the county of Staffordshire.

The event was held at Weston Park, along the county's border with Shropshire, and was led by Sgt Watchman VI and Pte Watchman VII, the mascots of the Staffordshire Regimental Association.

The Staffy Trail featured 11 giant staffy sculptures and was estimated to have brought in tens of thousand of pounds for the county's tourism industry.

Staffordshire County Council A Staffordshire bull terrier being walked on a blue harness on a patch of grass with its owner wearing flip flops alongside it.Staffordshire County Council
The event focused on Staffordshire bull terriers, which were first bred in the county

"The event is a celebration of the Staffy Trail's achievements and of Staffy, Staffordshire's new visitor mascot, which has inspired thousands of people to explore the county over the past few months," a spokesperson said.

The trail was officially launched on 1 May, which has been marketed as Staffordshire Day for the past 10 years.

"Staffy has become a fantastic ambassador for Staffordshire, helping us showcase everything that makes our county special," said Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for economy and skills.

"The trail may be ending, but Staffy's story is only just beginning, and he will continue championing Staffordshire as the nation's playground for years to come."

Staffordshire County Council A man wearing a red ceremonial military uniform is standing alongside a brightly-coloured sculpture of a Staffordshire bull terrier. The man has two dogs with him on leads. In the distance is a historic country house.Staffordshire County Council
Sgt Watchman VI and Pte Watchman VII, mascots of the Staffordshire Regimental Association, helped lead the walk

At Weston Park, the walk took visitors on a mini trail around the estate.

The event was open to everyone and all breeds of dog, although organisers admitted they were hoping to set a new record for the number of Staffordshire bull terriers taking part.

"The Staffy Trail has captured people's imagination and shown the power of partnership working to showcase Staffordshire," said Andrea Webster, head of marketing at Weston Park.

Staffordshire County Council A brown-coloured French bull dog in a grey pram. The top of the pram is open, and the dog is looking at the camera. There are trees in the distance.Staffordshire County Council
The event was open to everyone and all breeds of dog - including this Frenchie

Volunteers from the Senior Staffy Club Dog Rescue were also in attendance to raise awareness of their work supporting older Staffordshire bull terriers and their plans to open new rescue kennels in Stafford next year.

"Staffordshire bull terriers are incredibly loyal, loving dogs and we're thrilled to be part of an event that celebrates both the breed and the county they are so closely associated with," said Kate Lee, founder of the dog rescue.

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