They say they are man’s best friend – and that certainly rang true when dogs dropped in on a disabled play scheme.

Children at Noah’s Ark Playscheme, in St Theresa’s School, Brook Drive, welcomed the dogs to their half term activity sessions.

Their little faces lit up with smiles as they played with the animals as part of a pet therapy programme.

For more than a decade the charity has provided a whole range of activities during the school holidays, which organiser Alison Gnessen says gives both parents and children a respite.