A ‘GENTLE giant’ who shares his name with a boxing legend has been crowned one of the UK’s happiest dogs on a beach.

Marvin Hagler, a four-year-old American Bulldog, made the top 20 shortlist in the competition, organised by the last minute holiday rental provider snaptrip.com

His owner, Deborah Parkee, from Crook, took the photograph of the friendly pooch frolicking on Cresswell Beach in Northumberland.

“I would describe him as funny dog, he is always making us laugh,” said Mrs Parkee, a social worker and mother-of-three.

“He is very loving and at his happiest when we’re all out walking together and when he gets a new toy.

“We visit this beach often, it’s lovely any time of year and we can all work for miles. I took this photo as I thought it showed Hagler at his happiest, he’s a gentle giant.”

More than 200 dog owners entered the contest.

Matt Fox, co-founder of Snaptrip.com, said : “We’ve had some absolutely amazing, hilarious and heart-warming entries and whittling them down to a shortlist has been extremely difficult.”