Dog rescue closes after 'one in a million' manager dies

Paul Johnson said his father was "one in a million and always there for the dogs"

A dog rescue centre is set to close after the death of its "one in a million" manager.

Brian Johnson, 78, ran Binfield Dog Rescue in Berkshire for 30 years until he died in June.

After his death the site, which could hold 30 dogs, was handed back to the previous owner's estate, and is expected to close on 7 August.

Mr Johnson's eldest son Paul is handling the closure of the Kennel and said: "It is a lovely little community here and we are sorry to see it go."

All but four dogs that have lived at Binfield Dog Rescue centre now have "forever homes"

The centre was opened in 1966 by Nora Peake, who entrusted it solely to Mr Johnson when she died.

She stipulated in her will that he was to keep the centre going until his death.

Four dogs remain at the centre and Paul Johnson is confident the remaining animals will be adopted before its closure.

Any leftover food stock at the site will be given away, he said.

The centre opened in 1966 and has relied on volunteers

Paul Johnson said his father was "one in a million and always there for the dogs".

He continued: “I would say, without him there wouldn’t be as many happy people out there as there are.

"They wouldn’t have found the dogs that they love."

He said he could not count how many animals had come through the rescue's doors but there had been "a lot of nice stories of dogs going on to better lives".

The centre relied on the work of volunteers and Paul Johnson said he was grateful to all of the people who had supported his father over the years, with some volunteering for 15 years.

"It wouldn’t have been possible without them," he said.

Frances Synge volunteered at the centre for seven years and described it as "the best place in the world".

She added: "Dogs would be dumped for all sorts of reasons and Brian would never turn them away, even if they came with implications.

"There have been the most amazing transformations."

Paul Johnson said his dad made a lot of people happy

Paul Johnson said his father kept the ashes of his favourite dog "Billy" at the rescue centre.

The Johnson family now plans to scatter Billy's ashes alongside Mr Johnson's.