BRITAIN'S most unwanted dog has found a home after ten years.

Sandy, a 12-year-old mongrel, spent ten years at Bryson's Animal Refuge, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, without attracting any potential owners.

But then more than 1,000 inquiries about him arrived after staff at the refuge made a desperate appeal through the media on behalf of Sandy.

"The story went everywhere, and we've just been taking calls ever since," said the refuge's assistant manager, Kevin Ellison.

"We've had calls from Spain, Northern Ireland, Jersey and all over the country. We even had one man who read about it in Florida and made a call as soon as he got home.

Basically, we have just been putting the phone down and immediately taking the next call. The nice thing is we have been able to tell people about other long-term dogs we have looked after here, and people are interested. We have also managed to take quite a few donations."

Sandy was re-homed with an older couple from Leicester, who heard about his plight on television while visiting the area on holiday.

"They have the time and the patience Sandy will need, and he has a good home," said Mr Ellison.

"But I must say we will miss him here. I've been here eight years and it was strange to see his kennel empty when I came in this morning. But we're just happy he has finally got a home.