A puppy who needed vital surgery to save his legs was today recovering from an operation paid for by hundreds of kind-hearted readers.

The case of four-month-old Tommy, who was unable to walk properly because he had a twisted leg, touched the hearts of many readers of This Is Essex feeder paper The Echo. Donations, particularly from the elderly, flooded in and more than a £1,000 has been raised.

This will pay for the £825 operation bill and still leave enough to cover further X-ray fees at local vets.

The operation involved removing an inch from each leg and his bent right leg being stapled.

Tommy was kept at the orthopaedic vets for days and his bandages will be on for the rest of the week.

Alan Wheatman, of Alpine Rescue, Durham Road, Rochford, took Tommy in to the kennels he runs with his wife two months ago.

Tommy had been picked up as a stray by police.

Mr Wheatman said: "There's a lot of very nice people out there.

"We couldn't have done it without the help from Echo readers.

"He's a gutsy little dog and is a bit sore but I'm sure he'll be OK."

His wife, Penny, said: "He's had a lot of bone taken away, about half an inch from each leg.

"The leg which was causing the trouble has been stapled and even if it's not straight it will be serviceable.

"His left leg also had to be operated on as that was damaged because of the way Tommy was walking on it to compensate for his poor right leg.

"I will be writing to every person who sent money in but would also like to say thanks to everyone through the Echo.

"People have been really, really kind.

"All this has made me see people in a different light.

"Many elderly people have sent money in and we've also had money from many city workers after a clerk put out an e-mail message on all the bank's computers."

Southend branches of Holland & Barratt and Midland Bank each sent cheques of £200.

A donation was also received from a Basildon solicitors and staff at Southend Library.

Many elderly people sent the few pounds they could spare and one pensioner also donated her jewellery to be sold to raise money for Tommy.

Alan and Penny are hoping they will soon be able to announce that a permanent home has been found for Tommy.

Alpine Rescue would like to thank Maudsley, Wright and Pearson Solicitors in Basildon, Working for Animals on Canvey and Heidi Wormans who originally put out the appeal.

On the mend - Tommy is nursed back to health by Penny Wheatman

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.