Owners of an animal refuge centre are making one last desperate appeal to find a home for Britain's most unwanted dog.

Sandy the mongrel, now 12, was a playful two-year-old when he arrived at the Eighton Banks refuge in Gateshead in 1989.

Kathleen Copeland, an animal care worker at the refuge, says thousands of people must have overlooked his sad face during his stay, and thinks the only reason he has not been taken away in recent years is because of his age.

The friendly wire-haired cross is destined to see out his final days at the refuge unless an owner can be found to give him some deserved home comforts.

Mrs Copeland said: "He's such a nice-natured dog and has really mellowed with age. Of all the animals we've had he has been the longest.

''He has had a good life here. He goes for walks regularly and is surrounded by other dogs.

''He is 12 years old now and suffers from a bit of arthritis but he takes medicine for that.

"He really needs a special home because after all this time he will have become institutionalised.

''I would take him home myself, but I have cats and I don't think he would get on with them at his age.''

She said because of Sandy's age he would not like living in a house with small children or cats. A home with a dog would also not be suitable but Sandy would be fine with a bitch.

Earlier this year, a dog called Sweep, from South Wales, was named Britain's most unloved dog by a national newspaper after starting his 11th year in a refuge.

He was finally given a home in Kent.