A portly pooch whose favourite treat was a full English breakfast has lost almost a third of his own body weight after vets put him on a strict diet.

Tux the Dalmation ballooned to a whopping ten stones after a lifetime of delicious leftovers and late night snacks.

However, vets became alarmed about his diet and made a healthy living plan for the loveable pooch.

Justine Thorne, veterinary nurse at Earls Hall Veterinary Group, Prince Avenue, Westcliff, said: "Tux had become overweight due to his family showing their appreciation of him by giving him treats - a weakness very common in loving pet owners.

"Tux was particularly partial to full cooked breakfasts and enjoyed late night snacks."

A strict regime of exercise and healthy eating was enforced by owner Bex Eaton, 19, of Warwick Gardens, Rayleigh.

He was taken for two or three walks each day, for an hour a time and was only fed on Hill's Prescription Diet food.

This meant no more smoked salmon and crisps, which were also Tux's favourites.

Miss Eaton is currently in Sydney, Australia, but her father Paul Eaton, 42, said: "He was a six-week old puppy when we got him and he is six years old now. He is a wonderful dog who is good with kids. He went over 10 stone which stopped him running."

Comments from passers-by such as, "where are the other 100 Dalmations, did he eat them?" provided the motivation for the healthy regime.