IT'S getting a mite crowded in the Schnorbitz household these days - especially with ten mini St Bernards to look after.

Schnor Baby, Princess, Baby Bitz, Fathead, Flower, Chicken, Panda, Petal, Billy and Lady are the latest additions to the stage dog's family.

They may only be eight weeks old but already they are costing £275 a week to feed plus much more in vets bills - and dinner time has become a marathon.

Schnorbitz's owner, illusionist Richard De Vere, told the Citizen: "We are just overrun with puppies. When they were first born we had two people on 12-hour shifts because they had to be fed every two hours.

"Thankfully, now they are weaned, they just help themselves."

Even ferrying the pups around has become a major outing, so much so that Richard has had to buy a special Schnorbitz-mobile, a 51-year-old A45 Countryman.

Surprisingly, the star of the Pleasure Beach's Mystique show has no problem telling the pups apart, each being given a nickname which suits their character.

Chicken is rather fond of poultry while Fathead, the biggest pup, is very clumsy.

"They all play together really well and are very boisterous. It's like a madhouse here at the moment," said Richard.

One of the litter will be kept as the next Schnorbitz, the fourth in the generation of stage dogs, but the rest are to be sold.

Five offers have already been accepted, including one from a royal in Saudi Arabia - and others are invited at more than £1,000.

"We want them to go to suitable homes," says Richard, "but the new owners will have to sign contracts preventing the dogs from appearing on stage.

"All the money, after vet bills and legal fees have been paid, will go to the Schnorbus appeal to buy a minibus for community groups to use."

Anyone who would like to buy the pups should contact the press office at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on 341033.

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