WHEN Christine Lewis was looking for a new dog, she answered a newspaper advert and bought what she thought was a Jack Russell pup for £150.

But following a visit to the vets, it emerged that her new pet was in fact a border collie.

Nevertheless, Mrs Lewis formed a strong bond with the collie, now named Tep’e.

And at the Littleworth Family Fun Day and Dog Show earlier in the month, she watched in amazement as Tep’e picked up a second best in show prize.

Mrs Lewis, 68, of Main Avenue, Sandford, has a reputation for keeping wire-haired dachshunds, although her last dachshund Tom’e – who Mrs Lewis carried around on her moped leading to coverage in the press – died four months ago from a brain tumour.

She said: “We wanted a female Jack Russell and we ended up with a male Border Collie that chewed everything.

“I nearly took him back.

“But he is so friendly that eventually he won me over and he also won over the judges at the dog show in Littleworth.

“Following such an uncertain start in life, Tep’e has gone from rags to riches and I’m amazed that he won a prize.

“He certainly won over the judges and even shook hands with them.”