s=10A FORMER flabby canine has been entered into the finals of a pet slimming competition after shedding more than half his body weight.o

Four-year-old Star, from Arnos Grove, is one of nine pets who have reached the regional finals of Hill's Pet Slimmer of the Year 2001.

The chocolate Labrador cross, weighed a whopping ten stone when his new owner Jane Schindelholz took him in this February after his wheelchair bound owner died.

He had grown overweight through lack of exercise and could hardly walk when he moved into his new home in Springfield Road.

Jane said: "When I saw him I just fell in love with him, I was happy to take him in. But he could hardly walk, he just staggered."

After a visit to the vet Star was soon put on a strict diet and exercise plan and managed to shed over half his body weight. He is now a trim four stone three pounds.

Veterinary nurse Susan Weatherall from Abbey House Vetinary Hospital, Muswell Hill said: "When we first saw Star he could hardly walk let alone run. We put him on a strict diet combined with regular exercise and in just five months he had managed to shed an amazing 56 per cent of his overall body weight. I call him Star because he is one."

Star will strut his trim torso at a special awards ceremony to be held tonight at a top Hertfordshire hotel. The winner will go through to the national final in January.

Pet lover Jane, 57, who has six dogs and eight cats, added: "Star has come on so well. When I got him he had never met other dogs or people before. He is a completely changed dog. He is very happy and he makes you want to love him."