SUPPORTERS of a ‘50 Shades of Greyhound’ campaign have been looking for kindness without the cruelty – and been surprised by the outcome.

An increased number of greyhounds and lurchers have been rehomed since the Tia Rescue charity adopted the theme, inspired by the E L James series, now adapted into a film.

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Poster campaigns based around ‘50 Shades...’ have been promoted at the charity’s stores in Yorkshire Street, Burnley, and Halifax Road, Todmorden, with notable success.

Charity shop worker Jane Frost said: “We started with the idea after I saw how well the film was doing. It seemed really topical so we started our own 50 Shades campaign.

“I got in touch with the lady who does the designs for our shops and she really had some fun with the posters. It’s just taken off from there and really proved to be quite popular.

“Everything that we do is all about supporting our dogs and getting them rehomed and this has proved to be very effective in bringing people in off the streets.”

The initiative began with Jane’s shop in Marsden, near Huddersfield, and was later rolled out further east to Hebden Bridge and then the charity’s shops in Burnley and Todmorden.

First formed 18 years ago, the greyhound rescue charity has kennels at Cragg Vale, between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, and is planning to relocate to south Yorkshire, if new accommodation can be secured.

Those used in the appeal at Burnley included Elle, a four-year-old bitch who was rejected for racing, and five-year-old Bianca, who still has scars on her muzzle after being taken in by the organisation.

Dent, who raced as Demesne Voyage, mainly in Sheffield, and won more than 22 races, is another resident.

He is of a similar age. Another candidate for rehoming is Marlon, aged seven, who raced as Belfast Child at Belle Vue.

Some of the greyhounds and lurchers housed by Tia are not suitable for rehoming and the charity holds regular fundraisers around Lancashire and Yorkshire to pay for their upkeep.