A Cumbrian farmhouse is the perfect location for a holiday for your pets and it was the inspiration for one local woman to set up her own business with the help of the Rural Women's Network.

Baird's Kennels and Cattery, near Shap, is set in the natural beauty of the fells, yet has easy access to the M6 motorway - making it the ideal dropping off spot for pet owners on route to their own breakaway.

Set up five years ago by animal lover and farmer's daughter Daphne Baird, the business offers ten kennels and an isolation kennel for dogs and 11 cat pens, situated within the grounds of Daphne and her partner David's home.

After being made redundant after 25 years of working for K Shoes, Daphne decided to act upon her dream to create a boarding kennels and cattery at her home. The farming family also have around 20 head of cattle and 400 sheep on their land.

Daphne said: "I have been a dog owner all my life. Being a farmer's daughter I've always been surrounded by animals and always thought about setting up such a business. With the help of Business Link and the Rural Women's Network I have built up the business and most of our visitors are repeat dogs and cats who enjoy coming to say with us.

"We have fenced in our fields, to give the dogs freedom to run around and enjoy themselves while they are here. And because I run the business myself, the animals are used to seeing me, and are relaxed in their environment. Because the kennels and cattery are in our grounds, we are constantly on hand to care for the animals.

"Though we are in a very rural area, the easy access to the M6 has made us a popular kennels and cattery with pet owners from across the county, including regulars from Keswick, Cockermouth, Carlisle and Kendal."

Daphne also cares for animals for the local charity Eden Animal Rescue, looking after dogs and cats who are waiting to be re-homed.