AN ANXIOUS dog lover is urging householders to help save the life of a streetwise mongrel which is growing weak and ill after six months without a home.

Margaret Walker, of Romney Walk, Blackburn, said some kindly neighbours in the Pringle Street and Queens Park areas were putting out food for the animal, but it has repeatedly evaded capture by Blackburn with Darwen Council's dog wardens.

Miss Walker said the dog's owner had died and, despite efforts to win its trust, it refused to be caught and was becoming very thin.

"He runs because he is scared, but he is growing weak and poorly and is going to slow down and lie down somewhere."

She urged anyone who sees the dog taking shelter in a garden to immediately contact the council's dog warden service on 01254 585585.