THIS regal beagle is ‘hot to trot’ after being kitted out at Inverclyde’s new pooch palace.

Fashionable pooch Cara wagged her tail during her visit to Togz 4 Dogz — a bespoke dogs clothing outlet which has just opened in Greenock.

Cara’s owner Angela Corr, pictured, from Drumillan Hill, thinks the four-legged fashion store is a great idea.

She said: “I was looking for a waterproof coat for Cara so when I heard about this, I thought I’d pop in.

“I was really impressed, it’s well laid out and had a nice, relaxed atmosphere for Cara to get measured up for her coat.”

Val Dixon, who runs Togz 4 Dogz, says she was inspired to get creative after the death of her husband.

The 68-year-old, inset, told the Tele: “Years ago, I lost my husband to cancer.

“To cope with my grief I started knitting and that kept me going.

“At one point, my daughters asked me how many hats I had knitted and it turned out I had made 63.

“The woman in the wool shop also knew I was making all these hats so she sent me along to the market in Merchant Square in Glasgow and I have been there now for 10 years.

“That was how I started off, as knitting kept me sane.

“I had become a bit of a recluse so going to the market every week got me out of the house.”

Val, who knits everything from her own patterns, then decided to make doggy garments.

She added: “After about seven years, lots of other people were making hats so I thought it was time for a change.

“I asked people what they would like me to make and one lady suggested wee doggy jumpers.

“I was a bit fed up of knitting so I turned to the sewing machine and started making dog coats using a range of fabrics, waterproofs and winter warming fleeces.”

Val’s dog designs proved so popular that in November she opened up her own doggy showroom within Charlene’s Hair and Beauty salon in Greenock’s Grey Place.

She said: “I went to get my hair done at Charlene’s Hair and Beauty and was telling Charlene about it and she suggested I could use her back room.

“I pay a small rent which has allowed me to open up my own shop, it’s a dream come true.”

As well as handmade dog coats and accessories, Val also sells dog pyjamas, dressing gowns, dresses, bow ties, flashing collars, wedding sets and tutus.

Her designs could also help dogs who have suffered injury.

She said: “One lady, who is a vet, has asked me if I could try and create padding to go round wounds, so I’ve come up with something for her.”