A dog rehoming charity has rolled out a nationwide fostering scheme which allows people to adopt dogs into their home on a temporary basis.

The Home From Home initiative, run by the Dogs Trust, is designed to help the thousands of dogs in the charity's care grow accustomed to loving homes.

Launching the scheme on Tuesday, the Dogs Trust cited a survey showing that nearly 60% of Scots admitted to feeling lonely at some point in 2016, but that around 90% of dog owners said their dog made them less lonely.

The research also suggested that almost 30% of non-dog owners could not afford to own a dog permanently, while almost a third said they would not have the time.

The survey, conducted by Onepoll earlier this month with 165 respondents, also said 40% of Scottish non-dog owners would consider fostering a dog as a way to combat loneliness.

The Dogs Trust say the scheme could be mutually beneficial for both dogs in care and prospective foster carers.

Ashley Szafranek, Home From Home coordinator at Dogs Trust Glasgow, said: "Spending time with a dog won't cure all your problems but it could certainly make you happier so we hope people will consider fostering a dog as a positive resolution for the new year.

"We have thousands of dogs of all shapes and sizes across our 20 rehoming centres in the UK looking for temporary carers varying from older dogs who need some extra TLC, litters of puppies, dogs recovering from illness and those who simply cope better in a home environment.

"Dogs Trust cover all fees and the average stay for a dog in a foster home is three to four weeks, although some dogs can be fostered up to eight months."