A TOY dog which gives comfort to people living with dementia is to be named by primary schoolchildren.

Largs & District Dementia Friendly Committee have purchased a couple of the realistic moving canines - and have asked pupils to come up with names.

Committee chairman Robbie Stevenson and member Christine Malcolmson showed and demonstrated them at Largs and St Mary's primary schools, and are pictured here with pupils Ali Tweedie and Luke Baillie.

Each school will name a dog in a competition running through this month.

Competition entries can be a model, a poem, or drawing with a dog's name and winners will take home a £25 Amazon vouchers.

Once named, the local dementia-friendly committee will consult with healthcare and carers to identify individuals living with dementia that will benefit from having a companion to hold, cuddle and talk to.

The dogs respond to being hugged and spoken to by wagging their tails, moving their head in the direction of any voices, fluttering their eyes, moving their ears and giving a gentle bark.

They have been proven by experts to provide comfort to people living with the condition.