WINSTON is set to have his "finest hour" when he attends Crowle Parish Council tonight.

However, there will be no Churchillian speeches from this member as Winston happens to be a dog.

And his owner hopes the 10-year old whippet-poodle cross will show more sleeping spirit than the fighting British Bulldog variety.

Winston (pictured) has been given special dispensation to attend the meeting as the poor pooch is frightened of fireworks.

His owner, parish councillor Lee Turner, asked for permission for Winston to attend as she had no one to look after him.

"I just hope he'll sit down and curl up. He is a lively young thing. I can't say he'll sit there all quiet, but we'll have to see." said Mrs Turner, who is a secondary school teacher.

The petrified pooch has been frightened of fireworks since someone threw a firework at him about eight years ago.

Thankfully, it missed Winston, but it did change him.

"For his first two Bonfire nights he did not bat an eyelid but now he's scared stiff of them," she said.

Mrs Turner said there is a growing problem of fireworks being let off during the days and weeks before bonfire night, causing distress to many animals.