A PREMIER League pet can now emulate his Sunderland FC supporting owner - with his very own red and white striped kit.

Sam the cross labrador-collie was presented with a snug coat in the club's famous colours after his owner, Tom Cook, won a Northern Echo competition.

Following a feature on the Soccer Dog Coat Company - a Newcastle firm that makes custom-made coats for dogs - football fans were asked to say why, in 50 words or less, their dog deserved a free coat.

Tom, 50, of Surrey Place, Bishop Auckland, put together a little ditty featuring Sunderland-related puns, such as "Quinn-ing this would be a right Phillip" and "Mackem me a winner would also be a nice change".

Tom, who had just returned from last night's uninspired draw with Bradford, admitted the puns were not up to much, but was delighted with the prize nonetheless.

The lifelong supporter said: "The puns are pretty bad, to be honest, but they couldn't have been the worst, because I won.

"I've been out in the cold with Sam wearing his new coat and he seems to like it.

"We've had a few comments from people though. One bloke said it looked like he'd just come off the greyhound track."