Lu Corfield, who plays twin sisters Freya and Lois Wilson on BBC1’s Doctors, visited London's Mayhew Animal Home to highlight the number of rescue dogs who need a new home.

She cuddled a range of cute animals including Askey, a three-year-old Terrier cross who was abandoned on a street and 17-month-old Siberian Husky Amaruq, who ended up in the Mayhew after his owner felt she could no longer look after him due to work commitments.

Ms Corfield, the owner of a six-year-old Poodle cross called Norma, said: “There are a frightening amount of dogs needing to be rehomed across the UK and, whilst our rescue centres and shelters are doing a wonderful job, we still need further funding and support. I fell in love with each and every one of the dogs I met, in fact I was very tempted to take all three home!

“They will make the perfect companion to the right owner, they just need to be given a chance.”

For more information about the Mayhew visit themayhew.org/.