Alison Hammond carries on the legacy left by the much-loved Paul O'Grady as she heads to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to help the animals in their care

Alison this time meets a lurcher who was found tied up in a cemetery, a stressed-out French bulldog who is struggling to breathe, and a very matted bichon frise.

Alison helps a pug with all sorts of different ailments, meets a German Shepherd who is scared of her own shadow, and helps to train a litter of lurcher pups.

Alison meets two of Battersea's longest residents, helps a three-month-old whippet with some swimming lessons, and befriends a shy Maltese with trust issues.

Alison has her work cut out when a police van arrives with a pack of dogs found living in terrible conditions, and she also volunteers to house train a spaniel.

Alison meets a gorgeous husky who has a mysterious problem, helps to calm down an overexcited spaniel, and falls head over heels for five bichon frise puppies.

In a festive edition, the presenter returns to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to help the canines find new forever homes at one of the busiest times of the year. Top of Alison's to-do list is seven-month-old spaniel Holly, who came in severely underweight and in need of an operation on her eye.