Babbington Hall Rescue currently helps more than 600 dogs per year - but owner Tony Sanderson says it is no longer big enough to keep up with demand.

He now plans to build 12 more kennels to house 14 more dogs in an extension that will cost £45 to £50,000.

Mr Sanderson said: "The police have stopped dealing with dogs - there's been an increase coming through the dog wardens. More dogs are being abandoned but against that we are more sucessful at rehoming them.

"Dogs at Babbington get neutered and spayed and properly vaccinated before they find a new home - to do otherwise doesn't help the problem. We cost a bit more because we're doing the job right."

Babbington Hall serves Broxtowe Borough, Nottingham City and Derby City Councils, and Mr Sanderson says the extension will enable the centre to be used by Amber Valley Borough Council.

The planning application for the 12 kennels has been provisionally approved by Broxtowe - but it also has to be approved by the Secretary of State as the kennels would be built on green-belt land.

Mr Sanderson said the new kennels would mean Babbington Hall could house between 150 and 200 extra dogs per year.