Huge stars turned out to honour cats and dogs at the annual Battersea Dogs Home Collars and Coats Gala Ball.

Wandsworth Times:

This year’s event also remembered the brave service dogs of the First World War, in honour of the centenary.

The ball, at Battersea Evolution, was hosted by Amanda Holden, Paul O’Grady MBE, David Gandy and Dame Jacqueline Wilson OBE.

Star-studded guests included Lady Patsy Puttnum, Jake Humphrey, Craig Revel-Horwood, Sarah Parish, Angela Griffin, Arlene Phillips, Carley Stenson and Nicky Clarke.

Wandsworth Times:

Entertainment was provided by Vanessa-Mae, Heather Small, and Dave Arch and the Strictly Come Dancing Band.

Battersea service dogs, rescue dogs that had gone on to the police, Army, RAF, and border force, took part in dramatic battlefield re-enactments showing how Battersea dogs have served their country from 1914 right up to the present day.

Wandsworth Times:

Claire Horton, Battersea’s chief executive, said: “In this, the centenary year of World War One Battersea dogs are standing side by side with some of the country’s top service dogs, every one of them a hero.”

It costs over £18m to run Battersea each year. Last year nearly 9,000 dogs and cats needed Battersea’s help.

Wandsworth Times: