MATTHEW, the singing Jack Russell terrier, has found a home.

The dog, which has a high-pitched yelp that sounds like a baby crying, was to have appeared on the ITV show This Morning to try to find him and several of his friends a new home. He has been at the Darlington branch of the National Canine Defence League (NCDL) since the beginning of December.

It was hoped that appearing on nationwide television would help him to find an owner. The NCDL could not have realised there would be such a quick result - for while Matthew was on the train to London, he attracted the attention of GNER guard Alan Robinson.

Mr Robinson instantly made friends with the dog and decided to offer him a home.

"Matthew was so well behaved on the train. It was a very long journey, but he didn't seem that bothered," he said.

"I couldn't believe that anyone would want to abandon him, and he was constantly on my mind."

Anyone interested in rehoming an NCDL dog should telephone (0845) 7646000. NCDL Darlington can be contacted on (01325) 333114.