RACECOURSE staff are becoming concerned for the welfare of a stray dog which has been seen roaming around the track for the past few days.

Staff at Sedgefield Racecourse have taken the black and white collie to their hearts and have named it Dwain, after top British sprinter Dwain Chambers.

They fear the dog, which has a severe mark on its back, may have been abandoned and could come to some harm.

The dog was first noticed at the track on Wednesday. It is thought to be sleeping in a field at night and exploring the course by day.

All attempts to catch it have failed and neither RSPCA officers, the council dog warden, nor the police have been able to help.

Racecourse staff fear that if it is caught it might eventually be destroyed.

Amy Starkey, commercial executive at the racecourse, said: "It is a little bit sad because he is really cute, but it looks like he has gone lame and hurt himself.

"It's not ideal for a dog to be running around the course, especially during races, and our staff have not done any work for the past three days because we have been running around trying to catch him.

"Sedgefield Racecourse does not want to see any harm come to Dwain.

"It is quite upsetting and frustrating, because we are having no luck in bringing him to safety."

Anyone who can help to catch the dog, or who knows who it belongs to or who might want to give it a new home, is asked to telephone Sedgefield Racecourse on (01740) 621925 and speak to Jim Allen, Amy Starkey or Kathryn Daines