The generosity of animal lovers has helped a blind dog undergo vital eye surgery.

Piper urgently needed her eye removed and in just one day an appeal to fund the operation raised more than £400.

The eight-year-old staffordshire bull terrier had been under the care of the Animal Concern charity, based near Egremont, for several months before volunteer Brian Johnston adopted her.

After it became apparent that Piper needed one of her eyes removed as it had shrunk to less than half its size, the charity's manager launched an online appeal to fund the operation – and was overwhelmed with the response.

"I put the appeal up quite late in the evening and by the end of the next day, we'd raised £400," said Jody McQuiston.

"It's really nice. I thought we might get around £50, and I can't believe we managed to raise enough for the operation.

"People have always been very generous to us and I can't thank them enough."

Piper lost her sight when she was around two years old. She had to have her eye removed as Mr Johnston believes the blood flow to it was lost.

It's likely in the future that she will lose her other eye, and the remaining money raised from the fundraising will hopefully cover this.

Since Piper went to live with Mr Johnston and his wife Sheila, at Salterbeck in Workington, they have bonded.

"Piper wouldn't have managed in kennels," said Mrs McQuiston. "When Brian walks her, it's really lovely. He just talks and she follows her voice.

"When she goes off the lead she runs around like a puppy."

And Mr Johnston said: "She likes to play fetch with a squeaky ball. She hears the squeak and comes running and when I throw it for her, she'll sniff it out.

"As soon as she hears my voice, she's happy. I take her to the field behind my house and she runs round."

Piper had her operation about a month ago and the wound has healed well.