A NEW dog-walking service is set to get tails wagging as enquiries flood in for the paw-some venture.

Shipyard worker Paige Carr has launched a new pet-sitting and dog-walking business in Barrow named Hanks Hounds and Pets.

The Barrovian and self-professed animal-lover is providing dog walking, pet drop-ins and pet sitting for dogs, cats and small furries across the local area.

The 27-year-old, who owns three rabbits, a fox red Labrador, a horse and a resident turtle, will travel between Barrow and Ulverston and anywhere in between to cater to clients' furry friends' needs.

Miss Carr said she was inspired to set up her business after seeing friends and family follow their passions.

She said: "I had been inspired recently by people around me following their dreams and proving that it is doable to do a business on the side of a full-time job.

"I'd been walking friends dogs for quite a while and loved it. So at the end of last year I thought why not do this as a business?

"My main passion is animals - they're like an extension of my family.

"My love of animals started from a young age. I was always rescuing animals and bringing them home.

"I would bring my horse through my mum's kitchen and find stray cats to try and rescue.

"The motive behind the business came from my love of animals. I wanted to do something based around my passion.

"Life is too short to do a nine to five job - I wanted to do something as well as continue my job at BAE."

Named after Miss Carr's 'goofy' one-year-old Labrador Hank, Hanks Hounds and Pets has received a 'phenomenal' response since it officially launched on Wednesday.

She said: "We wanted to incorporate Hank into the business so decided to name it after him.

"And so many people are looking for this type of business - there's a real demand for it.

"The response has been phenomenal. I was blown away by the reaction. I only set up the Facebook page on Wednesday night and I've already had 300 likes and over a hundred messages.

"I've already got eight or nine introductory sessions booked in for next week. The response really has been incredible.

"I knew it was a popular service but I didn't expect it to blow up like it has. I had to run out and get a new diary because my original one wasn't big enough!"

Miss Carr plans on operating her dog-walking service around her full-time job at the shipyard.

"The dream would be to do this full time and eventually have a whole boarding service," she said.

"I'd love my own piece of land with a small holding.

"But for the moment, I can dog-sit in other people's homes or bring them here and walk them around the local area.

"I'm really excited. Obviously it was quite daunting to start a new venture and dip your toe into something new but the reaction has been amazing and I can't wait to get started.

"And our very first client is actually called Hank, which makes it even more special."