PENNY the black labrador is absolutely "chipper" after a potato treat saved her life.

The pet was given a new potato by her owners, Nicholas and Sue Middleton, after the family had finished Sunday lunch at their County Durham home.

But after swallowing the vegetable, the animal became ill and was rushed to the vet when she started being sick.

Vet Sandy Edwards, from Kensington Veterinary Care in Darlington, thought that the potato was causing so much discomfort to Penny that he should operate.

He though the potato may have got stuck in the dog's stomach and that was why she was being ill but when he started the operation he was shocked to discover Penny was actually minutes from death.

To his horror, when Mr Edwards cut the dog open he found a 2kg tumour in her abdomen.

Mr Edwards said: "The tumour was nearly ready to burst and if it had not been found Penny would gave died.

"If the dog had not eaten the potato and got it stuck she would never have come to the vet and we wouldn't have found the tumour

"She had to undergo two major operations - the first to remove the tumour and then it was a case of finding the potato in the small intestine and removing that.

"Both were life threatening operations and she is very lucky to still be with us."

The tumour was on Penny's spleen but a portion of the organ was able to be saved.

Penny has now had her stitches removed and just over a week since she ate the potato she is fully recovered from her ordeal.

Speaking from his Sadberge home, Mr Middleton said: "I gave the potato to Penny and I can't believe the trouble it caused.

"She won't be eating our leftovers again."