A PERMANENT home is sought for an unwanted dog who has spent most of his young life in temporary boarding kennels.

Roly, a recovered stray, has spent most of the past 14 months in RSPCA pens at Deerness Boarding Kennels, near Durham.

While other strays have come and gone, having been picked by willing new owners visiting the kennels, Roly, a brown lurcher-cross, has remained overlooked.

Staff at the kennels and local RSPCA volunteers said that while Roly was perhaps not the cutest looking dog, he was submissive with people he does not know and was well-behaved, although a little timid.

Kennels co-owner Linda Forsyth said: "It is maybe because he is slightly bigger than average and when any potential new owner visits, there is always another more appealing dog in at the time. He has probably been here longer than any other dog we have had.

"The average is two to three months and some go out in just a couple of days, yet it has now been 14 months since Roly arrived.

"He is only around two years old and it would be nice for him to have a permanent home.

"He is probably more suitable for a family with children aged ten or over due to his size."

The RSPCA does not put dogs down, but by finding a home for Roly, a place would be freed at the kennels for another dog.

Deerness Kennels, in Mill Road, Langley Moor, is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and until 1.30pm on Saturdays.

The kennels can be contacted on 0191-378 0439.