FORGET birdies - the only animal on golfers' minds at this charity game were the puppies who padded in for moral support.

Dogs For Good brought the four-legged spectators to The Springs Golf Club in Wallingford on Thursday, for a charity game hosted by professional golfer Eddie Pepperell and Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk.

Almost 80 people took part and then enjoyed a question and answer session between the pair afterwards.

Steph Lawless, community and events fundraising manager at the Banbury-based charity, said: "There are lots of charity golf days out there and they are all lovely, but we thought this gave it a slightly different edge - who doesn't love a puppy?

"We've not done this before but everyone was very generous, and we would like to make it an annual event."

The charity provides people with physical disabilities, autism, dementia and learning disabilities with trained assistance dogs, to make their lives easier.

Miss Lawless said: "They help in lots of different ways.

"Often people can become a little bit reclusive and our dogs give them confidence and a reason to go out - people who have felt invisible for years feel visible again, and suddenly everyone wants to talk to them."

Ann Hendry also came along with her dog Ralph, who helps her during day-to-day activities after she had a spinal injury, and Ken MacIver brought along trainee puppy Gilbert.

Ms Stirk is an ambassador for Dogs for Good, and said she knows how much joy and happiness dogs can bring to people.

The event raised more than £4,700 for the dog assistance charity, and anyone who wants to register their interest in the golfing event next year will be able to do so on the charity's website later this week.

See dogsforgood.org for information.