CLARRIE used to be a portly pooch - but just look at her now! The dieting dog from Bassaleg was crowned regional slimming champion in an animal weight-watching competition.

Clarrie, a 12-year-old Staffordshire-cross bitch, lost 6kg on a crash canine diet, and maintained the weight for six months.

She beat dozens of other trim terriers from all over Wales and the West Country to become the region's dog slimming champion. Proud owners Robert and Jean Harris, of Graig Close, were shocked to win.

Mr Harris, 61, said: "Clarrie had a bad leg following an accident, and we took her to the vets because she was getting overweight. When dogs have a bad leg they put all their weight on the other legs and put on weight. "She was getting a bit tubby and weighed 27.5kg."

Vets at the Bridge surgery in Pontllanfraith recommended a diet with pet food company Hills Pet Nutrition, with a programme of special pet food and regular exercise.

Mr Harris added: "In a matter of weeks she was down to 21.6kg, which was brilliant. The challenge then was keeping at that weight for six months. The hardest part was cutting down on treats - she didn't like that!"

Clarrie's doggy dieting was so successful that vet Candice Bloom entered her into Hills Pet Slimmer of the Year competition.

The competition is an annual event that tackles the problem of pet obesity. Recent research by Hills Pet Nutrition shows that obesity in animals is a growing problem in the UK, with 50 per cent of cats and dogs being overweight.

And last week Clarrie was crowned regional slimming champion at an awards show in Swindon.

Her owners won six months' worth of Hills pet food and £250 of holiday vouchers. Clarrie will now be entered for the national awards in January.