Annual animal blessing held at Wimborne Minster

It was set up by Diann March from Wimborne, who has been putting on animal charity blessings since 2004.

Diann said: "We had such a wonderful turnout; it was our most attended service to date.

"People travelled all the way from Blandford and Parkstone.

"As usual there were lots of dogs, a cat and the day was made more interesting by the attendance of a silkie chicken, a guinea pig and even a Shetland pony."

Diann holds the animal blessings annually, and she chooses a different charity to fundraise for every year.

This year's chosen charity was Cats Protection. This charity is the UK's largest feline welfare charity.

Over the past decade, it has rehomed over 2 million cats and kittens and "championed the rights" of these animals.

The Animal Blessing, which took place at Wimborne Minster on Sunday, October 27, was dedicated to this charity.

Diann said she is not sure how much money was raised for the charity; however, considering the high turnout, she expects it to be one of her best fundraising events yet.

The annual animal blessing is held in October because the celebration marks St Francis of Assai Day, which is on October 4.

St Francis was the patron saint of animals. The celebration commemorates the saint's transition from this life to the afterlife.

People around the world bring their pets to church on St. Francis' feast day to be blessed because of St. Francis's love for animals, as expressed in his Canticle of Creatures.  At the Wimborne Minster animal blessing, guests and their beloved pets enjoyed a service held by The Rev Canon Andre Rowland and The Rev. Marianne Mangham.

The congregation sang hymns and watched as Rev Rowland blessed the animals.

Diann added: "It is a very laid back service. People can walk around with their pets if they are getting restless.

"It was really exciting to have a horse at the blessing, although we did end up having to clean a lot of hay off the floor."