‘Rescue dogs rock!’ Stars from stage, screen and song come out in support of Woofstock

Stars from stage, screen and song have thrown their full support behind Woofstock, a music festival to raise money for a dog rescue charity.

Actors from Emmerdale and Downton Abbey,  Lee Mead, Shaun Williamson and Blue star Antony Costa are huge fans of Many Tears, a charity which hopes to find forever homes to stray, dumped or ex-breeding farm dogs.

Emmerdale's Liam Fox, who has a rescue dog called Sam, a Jack Russell cross, joined co-stars Laura Norton and Patrick Mower to promote this worthy cause and said: "Many Tear do great work for animals in need so come and show your support!"

Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern, who starred as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, said, "rescue dogs rock!" as she too urged people to come along and show their support this weekend.

Her co-star Lesley Nichols, best known for her role as cook Mrs Patmore in the award-winning ITV drama, got her four-legged friend from Many Tears, and speaking to the Telegraph, she said: "

“About five years ago I became obsessed with a dog rescue website in Wales called manytearsrescue.org.

“One day I saw a small bashed up face that looked just like our current dog, a pedigree Tibetan terrier called Bertie, and before we knew it we were driving absolutely miles in terrible weather, to visit this shivering mess that looked just like a crumpled, black roll-neck sweater.

“He’s not even interested in walks – he’s the only dog I know that will pull to go home, because home is where he knows he’s safe.

“My only problem is resisting getting another one, because I would in a heartbeat.”

This weekend, the very first Woofstock takes place in Herne Hill, south London to raise crucial funds for Many Tears.

Co-producer of the event, actress and singer Jojo Entwisle said: “I first discovered Many Tears when I was in Wales last year with my partner Al.

"We went to volunteer at Many Tears as we have a rescue dog called Hope (the Staffy Poster girl for Woofstock) and wanted to do something to help others. We were immediately struck with how incredibly hard the team work, it’s relentless the intake of dogs they have that have suffered abuse.