A GREYHOUND charity based near Swindon has been boosted by a grant from the British Greyhound Racing Board.

Greyhounds-r-us, based in Latton, has received £5,000 allowing them to purchase new vans.

Ruth O'Donovan, the founder of Greyhounds-r-us, which is now a registered charity, said: "The funding for the new van has made a real difference.

"We can now advertise the charity while on the road and use it to transport the dogs to new homes and also ferry about items for sale in car boots or feed and other supplies for the dogs."

The charity works closely with local stadiums and in May it raised £3,000 at a sponsored race night at the Reading track.

Ruth said: "It was a great night and one of our major fundraisers of the year.

"We work with trainers and owners in the area and many are very good.

"As ever it is the minority that give the sport a bad name and leave their dogs without provision when their racing days are over."

The board makes £100,000 available for those charities, organisations and individuals who help find homes for ex-racing greyhounds.