A TV PERSONALITY and some very special dogs will be VIP guests at the opening of a new shop in Tavistock next Tuesday.

BBC weatherman Craig Rich will officially open the first shop to be run by the Labrador Rescue Trust — also present will be the 1,000th and 2,000th Labrador to be re-homed by the charity, who will receive special certificates.

The shop has come into existence thanks to the generosity of Tavistock solicitor Jane Phillips and her partner Keith Stotford, owners of the 3,000th rescued dog, Sophie.

They offered the South West-based charity their empty premises in Market Street after witnessing first-hand the suffering of some of the rescued animals.

Jane contacted the Trust's co-ordinator Pam Shelley after her much loved yellow Labrador had to be put down earlier this year.

'She said there was a yellow bitch in Wales, would we be interested? We immediately got in the car and drove to Wales,' said Jane.

Sophie, who is around four-years-old, had been with Trust volunteer Gloria Hearn for three months but was still very traumatised.

An ex-puppy farm bitch who had obviously had numerous litters, she was rescued from a slurry pit.

Jane said: 'Gloria had to bath that little Labrador every day for a week, she was green.

'I have never come across a dog so nervous and frightened, it really upset us.

'She would sit in the corner and go into a trance, as if she wasn't with you.

'I would never have believed a Labrador could have been like that.'

Jane hopes the shop will boost the charity's funds, enabling 'all the Sophie's of this world to go to loving homes'.

She said the rescue charity requires constant funding to keep going, particularly the 'incredible' work done by Gloria and Jim Hearn in Wales.

'I just feel I can sleep easy in my bed at night, feeling I have done my bit.

'If you saw those dogs, it really does make for a sleepless night. I couldn't do what they do,' she said.

Unfortunately, Sophie is is still far too nervous to come to the official opening.

Her certificate will be accepted on her behalf by one of Jane's other Labradors, Miss Millie.

The 1,000th dog is Lucy, a working dog who lives with Jan Brown, the Trust's regional co-ordinator in Tiverton.

The 2,000th dog is Rugby, a five-year-old, mildly epileptic Labrador who will be travelling to Tavistock from Bristol with his owners.

Each dog will be given certificates signed by patron of the Trust, the Duke of Wellington.

Pam Shelley, who was 'gobsmacked' by Jane Phillips' offer of premises, said everything sold in the shop will help the Trust's work.

Stock includes good quality second-hand clothes, books, china and glass and brand new items manufactured for the Trust, including greetings cards, door-mats, key-rings etc.

Manager Lin Bristow said: 'We have been surprised and delighted by the donations we have had so far — people have been very generous.'

Craig Rich will open the shop at 18 Market Street on Tuesday August 15 at 10am.

Normal opening hours will be Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.

Anyone who would like to help in the shop, or donate items for sale, should contact Lin on 01822 610575.