There will be another attempt at a Guinness World Record in Ross later this summer, for the most dogs in one place while wearing a bandana.

This year, Debbie McNally, who runs the Hope and Anchor pub in Ross-on-Wye, is helping to organise the world record attempt.

Last year, an attempt was made to break the current world record, which currently stands at 764 dogs. This was set in Australia in May last year.

There were 566 dogs registered in Ross, which unfortunately was not enough to break the world record, but it was a record for Ross. The charity was thrilled with the results and they raised approximately £10,000 from the event, due to the registration fees, raffles and stalls.

Debbie told the Ross Gazette that she is acting as a liaison with the organisation of the world record attempt, and Isabel Van de Ven and Zat Lewis from the Soi Dog Foundation are the official event organisers.

She said that last year, there had been so many visitors to Ross, especially for the event, which had been a terrific boost for tourism. She added that many of the visitors who had come to Ross especially for the day, had returned to stay in the Hope and Anchor B&B as it is dog friendly.

“It’s not just about us making money,” Debbie said, “You’ve got to look at the bigger picture. This is our little part to pull people in to the area, and anything I can do I will do.”

While Debbie says she does not have a close connection to the Soi Dog Foundation, one of her regular customers, Lynette Munoz and her foster dog Billy Wonky Legs, are regular customers at the Hope and Anchor.

Billy was a Soi Dog, and he was found in a gutter in Thailand with his brothers. He had malnutrition, congenital deformity of his back legs, distemper and a blood parasite. He suffered badly, but with the help of a Thai friend who shared his story and the Soi Dog charity accommodating him until he was ready to travel, he was able to be saved. He now lives with Lynette and another of her foster dogs, Phoenix. “We all love Billy,” Debbie told the Gazette.

Pop Idol winner, Will Young is a patron of the Soi Dog foundation, so Debbie hopes that he will make an appearance this year. The world record attempt will be held on June 25th and 26th at the grounds of the Hope and Anchor.

Marstons Brewery will supply gazebos to make sure there is lots of shade, and the Hope and Anchor will supply lots of dog bowls and water to make sure the dogs taking part in the attempt do not overheat.

There are lots more events taking place over the Summer at the Hope and Anchor. Debbie is also one of the event organisers of a Steampunk and Pirate Extravaganza, alongside Paul and Sarah Amphlette in July. A pirate encampment will be build in the grounds around the pub, a morbid museum in the top half of the coffee shop, and lots of enthusiasts donning elaborate costumes. She explained that this was another way to bring in more tourists to Ross-on-Wye.