A stray puppy was rescued by vets after her digested three sets of women's knickers.

Vets at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Battersea Park Road, Battersea, were flabbergasted when they discovered the pants in Barney's digestive system.

It is a mystery as to how the staffordshire bull terrier swallowed the pants, which included two pairs of cotton underpants and one blank thong.

Barney was found wandering off Lillie Road, Hamersmith and Fulham, and brought to the rescue centre.

On the second day of his arrival staff took him for a walk where he left staff a rather large surprise.

The pants were found to have made it through his system fully intact.

Every couple of days Barney managed to pass another pair of knickers in his poo.

Concerned vets at the charity rushed the pooch in for an x-ray and discovered more knickers in his system.

But despite consuming all the underwear Barney suffered no ill effects from his pants diet.

Sam Barley, veterinary surgeon, said: "Who knows how Barney came to swallow so many pairs of pants.

"It will remain his secret but this little puppy is clearly a bit of a scavenger and we'll be advising his new owners to keep him well away from the laundry basket and the washing line.

"Dogs can often eat the most unlikely things whether big or 'smalls' in this remarkable case. Luckily for Barney he seems to have coped remarkably well."

In the past dogs home vets have removed a toy bus, a squeaky toy and even a kebab skewer from dogs' stomachs.

Anyone interested in adopting Barney can contact 020 7622 3626 or visit www.battersea.org.uk