It was wagging tails all round at the Southwold Sausage Walk on Easter Saturday when hundreds of dog lovers gathered for a celebration of their beloved dachshunds.

East Anglian Daily Times: Rolo (in the red collar/jumper), who is normally a nervous walker, had a wonderful time with nephew Ronnie. Picture: STEPHANIE PATIENCERolo (in the red collar/jumper), who is normally a nervous walker, had a wonderful time with nephew Ronnie. Picture: STEPHANIE PATIENCE (Image: Archant)

Scores of people accompanied by roughly 500 four-legged friends attended the event on Southwold beach on Saturday, March 31.

As well as serving as an opportunity for both dogs and owners to mingle. the walk raised a huge £1,300 for The Red Foundation – Emergency Dachshund Rescue UK.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lily, the 14-year-old blind and deaf miniature dachshund, having a cuddle with her dad. Picture: HAYLEY SAWYERLily, the 14-year-old blind and deaf miniature dachshund, having a cuddle with her dad. Picture: HAYLEY SAWYER (Image: Archant)

Organisers Heidi Ginger and Laura Baggott said they were delighted with the result, and completely blown away by the event’s popularity.

Ms Ginger said: “We are absolutely thrilled at how our event went yesterday, so many people turned up with their sausage dogs, as well as siblings of other breeds. We gave up counting the dogs after 400, but we think all together we were looking more towards 500.

East Anglian Daily Times: Roughly 500 dogs took part in the walk, with families travelling from all over the country. Picture: UK AERIALRoughly 500 dogs took part in the walk, with families travelling from all over the country. Picture: UK AERIAL (Image: Archant)

“Laura Baggott and I are so grateful for the support that we received, we couldn’t have asked for a better day and we were so lucky with the weather. We saw lots of wagging tails and smiling faces, everyone was so happy.”

Organisers were even rewarded with a gold plaque commemorating the event, displayed pride of place next to the beach.

East Anglian Daily Times: Amber, Charlie and Maisie enjoying their day out. Picture: MELANIE HARMERAmber, Charlie and Maisie enjoying their day out. Picture: MELANIE HARMER (Image: Archant)

The walk was initially put in jeapordy when Waveney District Council demanded a £300 deposit and £5million insurance cover prior to the event.

However when a saviour sponsor came to the rescue in the form of popular Southwold shop Adnams Sole Bay Brewery, the walk was back on track.

East Anglian Daily Times: Walter enjoyed dressing up for the big walk. Picture: HEIDI GINGERWalter enjoyed dressing up for the big walk. Picture: HEIDI GINGER (Image: Archant)

Organisers were also concerned that palm oil which has washed up on Suffolk’s beaches in recent weeks may prove a threat to inquisitive dogs.

Luckily, there were no problems on the day, and any anxieties were eased by organisers doing a trial walk prior to the big event.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundeds of sausage dogs turned up to take part and meet new friends. Picture: RICHARD POYNTONHundeds of sausage dogs turned up to take part and meet new friends. Picture: RICHARD POYNTON (Image: Archant)

The walk lasted roughly 45 minutes, and ran from the Harbour Quay East car park to the fifth wooden groyne past the Gunhill Beach Kiosk and back again.

As a precaution, walkers were accompanied by marshalls and first aiders to keep the dogs safe.

East Anglian Daily Times: The sausage dogs walked from the Harbour Quay East car park to the fifth wooden groyne past the Gunhill Beach Kiosk and back again. Picture: #SOUTHWOLDSAUSAGEWALKThe sausage dogs walked from the Harbour Quay East car park to the fifth wooden groyne past the Gunhill Beach Kiosk and back again. Picture: #SOUTHWOLDSAUSAGEWALK (Image: Archant)

It’s likely Southwold hasn’t seen the last of the sausages, as Ms Ginger added: “There is great demand for us to do another one later in the year, so watch this space.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Sausage dogs arrived wearing all kinds of costumes. Picture: #SOUTHWOLDSAUSAGEWALKSausage dogs arrived wearing all kinds of costumes. Picture: #SOUTHWOLDSAUSAGEWALK (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Organisers Heidi Ginger and Laura Baggott wearing their special high vis jackets. Picture: #SOUTHWOLDSAUSAGEWALKOrganisers Heidi Ginger and Laura Baggott wearing their special high vis jackets. Picture: #SOUTHWOLDSAUSAGEWALK (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 11-month-old Buxton was one of the biggest sausages on the beach. Picture: JACQUELINE FRENCH11-month-old Buxton was one of the biggest sausages on the beach. Picture: JACQUELINE FRENCH (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Hundreds of dogs and their owners met up for the walk. Picture: JESSIE BYFORDHundreds of dogs and their owners met up for the walk. Picture: JESSIE BYFORD (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ralph had to take a little pit stop during the walk to regain his strength after having spinal surgery last June. He loved the day regardless. Picture: KATIE MARKHAMRalph had to take a little pit stop during the walk to regain his strength after having spinal surgery last June. He loved the day regardless. Picture: KATIE MARKHAM (Image: Archant)