Time for Spartacus to put his paws up

Spartacus, the therapy dog is preparing to finally put his paws up after nearly a decade of comforting hospital patients.

The golden retriever has been a much-loved part of the Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust team since he was three years old.

April will mark the 10th anniversary of Therapy Dogs Nationwide, which was founded in Birkenhead by Eileen Slattery, Eileen Hodges and Mary Oliver OBE.