The High Court has rejected a government decision to continue this year's badger culls without independent insight.

Earlier this year, the Badger Trust was granted permission to challenge the legality of this year's badger culls, on the grounds that they would not be assessed by an independent panel.

However, despite the Independent Expert Panel (IEP) finding that the first year of pilot culls failed, the Secretary of State has decided to continue the culls without independent oversight.

The Trust is now considering its options in respect of an appeal against the court's decision.

Two well-known charities - Blue Cross and the Royal British Legion - are to benefit from a 125-mile horseback ride across northern France commemorating the soldiers and animals who sacrificed their lives in the Great War.

To mark the centenary of the start of the war Andy Smerdon is leading a team of nine riders from Dover to the river Somme,recreating the journey from which thousands of men and horses did not return.

Andy, who is accompanied by his horse Mack and mules Meg and Buddy, said; "Horses played such a vital role during World War One and we really want this trip to highlight the animals who lost their lives, as well as recognise those men who fought alongside them.During our trip we will be visiting key sights along the front lines...whilst raising money for two great charities."

Founded in 1897, Blue Cross played a pivotal role during the First World War in helping war horses through its hospitals in France, Belgium and Italy and by sending veterinary packs and care manuals to British soldiers charged with caring for them.

Following the success of last year's first-ever vegan bake-off, PETA is inviting people who fancy themselves a bit of a master baker to put their skills to the test and share their favourite vegan creations.

PETA say that according to new research, huge numbers of us are switching from cows' milk to non-dairy milk - one in five households now chooses to buy plant-based milks, such as soya, rice, oat, almond and coconut milk. Dairy products and eggs, which contain cholesterol and saturated fat, are two of the main culprits in the obesity epidemic, which contributes to many of the UK's top killers: heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and cancer.

Winners will have their recipes shared on PETA's blog and will be crowned Great Vegan Bake-Off champion 2014.

The deadline for entries is August 21. For full contest details or to enter, please click here.

Lucy Watson, star of Made in Chelsea, is backing Guide Dogs' appeal for volunteers to look after the next generation of life-changing guide dog puppies.

The charity say that it has had an unusually high number of young dogs born this year and need volunteers to help raise them - a role known as puppy walking.

Lucy said: "I love dogs and I think it's great that you can sign up to be puppy walker and play a vital role in a guide dog puppy's training. Not only do you get to shape the first year of a guide dog pup's life, but you know that you're helping to change the life of someone with sight loss."

Puppy walkers look after a guide dog pup in their own home when the young dog is aged six weeks old, until in is 12-14 months old. Volunteers care for the puppy, teach it basic obedience and take it out into a variety of everyday situations to get it used to the outside world.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is calling on the community to help raise funds for a new pup-mobile. The charity's crowdfunding appeal aims to achieve a £15,000 target in just five weeks for a vehicle to transport puppies and hearing dogs across the UK.

The charity urgently needs the vehicle to transport people, puppies, equipment and dogs-in-training. This includes delivering hearing dogs to their new recipients, moving puppies between training centres and taking dogs to receive health checks.

The charity say that anyone who donates to the pup-mobile will have the opportunity to receive an exclusive reward in return. However, they will only receive the vehicle if the target is achieved within the time frame.

To help Hearing Dogs for Deaf People achieve their target, you can make a donation at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/The-pup-mobile-appeal

Interest in Scottie dogs has soared after their appearance at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Online searches for the breed using the Kennel Club's find a puppy service rose by 553 per cent in just one day. After featuring heavily in the opening ceremony, the number of online searches for Scottie puppies rose from 93 on July 22, to 607 on July 23. Many dog breeds native to the UK have seen a drop in popularity over the past 10 years, with many people favouring fashionable "handbag" dogs such as pugs, French bulldogs and Chihuahuas. In the first half of 2014, just 339 Scottish terrier puppies were registered with the Kennel Club, compared to 18,000 Labradors.