DORSET residents are being urged to give a hen a home.

The British Hen Welfare Trust re-homes ex-battery hens and is looking for more kind-hearted members of the public to offer hens like Alice a lovely patch in their gardens for them to forage, scratch, and peck, till their hearts content.

The national charity, which celebrates its tenth Anniversary this year, is best known for its pioneering work in re-homing commercial laying hens destined for slaughter with over 470,000 hens re-homed since it started in 2005.

A pop-up Hen Collection will be held in Sturminster Newton on Sunday, September 13with hundreds of ex-colony laying hens hoping for a chance to explore your lovely gardens and allotments.

Local coordinator Jaqueline Gee said: “These wonderful hens are so full of character, you can’t help but fall in love with their unique personalities.

"They make amazing pets, and their tasty eggs are an added bonus. There’s nothing like eating cake made from eggs that have come from your own back yard."

To make a donation to the Hen Welfare Trust or for information about adopting hens call 01884 860084 or email hens@bhwt.org.uk