A HEART-WARMING shaggy dog story has turned a much-loved pet into a prize winner.

Sean, a part German Shepherd, actually grew up on the streets of Chile before being taken in by a British couple and brought to England.

When they could no longer care for him, a new owner was sought through the Malvern Gazette and his story was given a happy ending.

Now Sean has been named a 'Pet Hero' in a competition run by Wilson's Pet Centre in Townsend Way.

The store invited pet owners to write in with stories and anecdotes of their beloved animals.

Sean's new owner, Peter Rimmer, wrote his 'tail' from Sean's own perspective and his unique adventures have made him a winner.

Sean went to Wilson's on Saturday to collect his winning prize, a framed portrait of himself by artist Joanne Bellwood, who works at the store.

The portrait was presented by Celia Hammond, of PUPS dog and puppy re-homing centre in Worcester.

Mr Rimmer said: "Sean is a well-loved dog, lots of people around the area know him, and I am delighted that he has won the Pet Hero competition.

"He has such an unusual life story, and my partner and I decided that the best way to explain it all would be through a letter written by Sean himself."

Sean was born in the wild in Chile. His mother was a German Shepherd and his father is believed to have been a wolf. Part of a litter of five, he was found and taken in by a British couple.

After moving to Peru, they decided to move back to England, taking Sean with them. He nearly didn't make it back, after being lost by airport staff, and then had to spend six months in quarantine

The runner up in the competition, was Sparky, a tabby cat, who will receive a bag of cat food and collar.

Sparky was found in a cardboard box by her current owner, Kimberley Purst.

Wilsons' manager Trina Wilkinson said the competition attracted 122 entries.

"Many of the stories that we received were about animals that had been dumped by their previous owners and we are hoping that this competition will highlight the fact that pets are for life, not just for Christmas," she said.

l Sean with his owners Audrey Wilson and Peter Rimmer, with (back, from left) Sheila Tremellen, of PUPS dog and puppy re-homing centre in Worcester, and Trina Wilkinson, manager of Wilson's Pet Centre. Picture by Mike Pollard.