THEY are the 12 dogs of Christmas – a litter of puppies in need of new homes.

And a Hampshire rescue centre says it has been overwhelmed with offers to take in the cute canines.

As previously reported, the Southampton Blue Cross Centre at West End found itself with the 12 puppies after their owner found they could not cope with the American bulldog-cross puppies and decided the best thing to do was to find them new homes.

The six girls and six boys have been given appropriately festive names – Mary, Holly, Ivy, Robin, Elf and Tinsel for the females and Joseph, Noel, Rudolph, Frosty, Snowy and Gabriel for the males.

The centre said it has had lots of interest after they appeared in the Daily Echo and they are taking people’s details to match the puppies with new owners.

Anyone interested in the puppies or other animals at the centre, in Bubb Lane, should ring 0300 777 1530.