New home for Stourbridge and District Canine Society

A dog training club kicked out of a Black Country community centre in a row over germs has found a new home.

Stourbridge and District Canine Society was given its marching orders from Cradley Community Centre in Colley Lane over health and safety fears which, at the time, were branded "barking mad" by dog club members.

Cradley Community Association introduced the ban because of concerns the dogs might leave germs which could pose a health risk to children also using the centre.

The group today said they and their four-legged friends had found a new home and would be starting meetings again in February.

But members refused to reveal the location of their new meeting place for the time being.

They said it was within a few miles of the community centre and members already knew its location.

The group said they wanted to become "more established" in its new home before letting it become widely known.

Members were stunned after the association announced they were no longer allowed to use the building despite being loyal to the venue for nearly 30 years.

The association said the decision had been made and because the venue was now used for more children's events, there were concerns over hygiene.

But the society said the venue was cleaned thoroughly after every meeting and no proper assessment had ever been carried out by health and safety experts.

Committee member Chris Smith said: "We have been able to find another home so we will be able to continue regular meetings from February. We have only had to change the day from Thursday to Tuesday."