A HEART-warming tale of triumph over adversity has arisen from one of the most horrendous cases of animal cruelty the region has ever seen.

In June, the RSPCA was called to a block of stables on the outskirts of a County Durham village following reports of a rancid smell coming from the compound.

Horrified inspectors discovered the rotting bodies of about 30 dead animals that had been abandoned inside the filthy Bank Top Stables, at Trimdon Village.

Miraculously, three dogs - rottweiler Luke and border collie bitches Queen and Princess - were rescued from the squalor and taken in by the Society's rescue centre at Great Ayton, near Middlesbrough.

Animal welfare workers did not reveal at the time that one of the collies, Princess, was pregnant to Luke and on July 5 the pair became parents to eight puppies.

This week, the last of the 11 dogs to survive started a new life after being re-homed with a loving new owner.

Janet Russell, acting deputy manager of the rescue centre, said: "They were all in fairly good condition considering the accommodation they came from and settled into kennel life very well.

"It is so rewarding to see them doing so well in new homes where they will be well cared for, they have lovely personalities and don't hold a grudge against people."

Luke's new owners, Robert and Jane Hill, of Hardwick, in Stockton, fell in love with the gentle giant the minute they saw him at the centre.

Mr Hill said: "We were hoping to rescue a rottweiler or doberman so as soon as I saw Luke I knew we wanted him.

"It was later that we realised his history. It makes it all the better to give him a second chance."

Adrian Westwood and Louise Potts, of Stockton, have given puppy Rocco a new home.

Mr Westwood said: "He is a real character, settled inwell with our other dog Maggs, and our two-year-old daughter Lola-Mae adores him."

RSPCA Inspector Mark Gent, who made the gruesome discovery, said the lives all 11 dogs were now starting a heart-warming final chapter in their stories.

He said: "I am pleased that something good has come out of the horrendous ordeal that these dogs have been through. It is nice to see them re-homed and hopefully it is the start of a long and lovely life for them all."