JUDY, the dieting dalmatian, has failed to knock the spots off her canine rivals in a slimming competition.

The nine-year-old bitch was one of the ten regional finalists battling it out in the North-East heat of the Hill's Pet Slimmer of the Year Competition.

But, despite losing more than a stone, Judy, who lives with her owners in Darlington, could not manage to walk off with the slim pet title.

That honour went to Muffin the cocker spaniel, who lost almost two stone, and Eddie the cat, who shed nearly 50 per cent of his body weight.

Both animals won three months supply of pet food and their owners received £250 in holiday vouchers