Swimming woman and her slimming dog aid the bears

A DOG owner who set up a voluntary organisation to help bears around the world is joining her pet dog to raise funds.

Lesley Winton, of Tranent, has established the Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears, which will be officially launched with a silent auction in the Capital on October 10.

Lesley and labrador Holly, who weighed a hefty ten stones before a crash diet, will embark on their first sponsored event for the Foundation - the Two by Two Challenge - on August 24, which will see Holly walk two miles and Lesley swim two miles - 129 lengths of Tranent swimming pool.

Lesley set up the foundation to help end bear baiting in rural Pakistan. Holly, who was mistreated by previous owners, lost two stone before her first charity walk last year.