An East Renfrewshire charity is set for a major expansion after winning a £50,000 award.

Give a Dog a Bone, which which uses four-legged friends to make sure older people don’t suffer from loneliness, is over the moon after being named as one of the winners in a bumper charity cash pay-out.

Launched by Louise Russell in November 2013, the cause runs community spaces in Shawlands and Troon where people who don’t have a pet can pop in for a cuppa and a chat and make friends with companionship dogs.

The cash award, from financial services group Ecclesiastical, will be used to open a third centre, in Perth or Edinburgh.

Louise, from Clarkston, told the Barrhead News of her delight.

She said: “We have never been granted an amount like this before, so this is huge. 

“Not only will it allow us to open a third community space, there will also be an impact on individuals within the community.

“We would like to thank our team and Ecclesiastical. We would also like to thank the online community because, without them, this charity would not be what it is.”