IF you want to find out how dog friendly North Devon is — just ask a kitten. In this case Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon who, along with pooches Poppy May and Tilly Mint, visited Woolacombe to discover just how congenial a place it is for canines.

The singer was at the seaside resort filming a feature called Great British Dog Walks for ITV's This Morning.

She stayed at the Golden Coast Holiday Park where her pampered pooches, a pair of sweet shih-tzus, were put up in pet-friendly accommodation. (Think comfy dog beds with covers, healthy dog treats, doggy toys, feeding bowls, dog walking areas, pet trails, water bowls and that all important pooper scooper).

"They were really kind to us and dog friendly and they have really nice curly chips," said Liz. "Very tasty. I would definitely go there again."

The singer took Poppy May and Tilly Mint on a coastal trek from Woolacombe to Lee visiting Francis Holiday Cottages and The Grampus Inn on the way.

The latter, a walkers' pub in Lee, prides itself on being a happening hang-out for hounds.

"We understand dog owners because we have a dog ourselves," said pub landlord Bill Harvey. (Indeed, I'm informed, three legged Lucy, a saluki, is a published author who writes a column in the Lee and Lincombe news).

After a long trek along the coastpath Liz enjoyed bangers and mash at the traditional Devon pub.

"The Grampus must be famous locally," she said. "I couldn't get in at first because all the farmers were having a meeting. I said: 'Hello chaps' and they said 'Oh! Who's that then?'."

Liz admits that when This Morning first asked her to visit North Devon she didn't know much about the area.

"It's stunning!," she declared. "It's a very well kept secret. I would urge people to visit because I never realised it was there. Everyone focuses on South Devon but no honestly: it was absolutely beautiful. The views were breathtaking."

"I've got very small dogs and did think they would be knackered with all the exercise but they loved it. They couldn't get enough."

Liz believes it makes good business sense for pubs, restaurants, hotels and holiday camps to cater for pet lovers such as herself.

"Places such as Woolacombe that are dog friendly have an advantage because people are actually looking for these kind of holidays," she said. "A lot of other places are missing out."

Someone who would agree that pets help profits would be Linda Brothers, marketing manager for Golden Coast, a Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park.

"We had already doubled and tripled the number of pet holiday homes at our other parks," she said. "They were so popular we were running out of pet accommodation so we decided to open up the Golden Coast. There just seems to be a huge demand. Guests only pay £20 extra to bring a pooch but they get all this stuff included which is well worth it."

● If you like walking your dog in the North Devon countryside, taking advantage of its coastal path, moorland, villages, Tarka Trail and beaches, here are just some of the dog friendly restaurants and pubs cited in Woolacombe Bay Holiday's Park Woof Guide. Woolacombe: The Red Barn and Captain Jacks. Mortehoe: Chichester Arms, and The Ship Aground. Exmoor: The Hunters Inn. Croyde: The Thatch and Billy Budds.