A "ridiculous big dog lover" has pledged to get himself tattooed with a sick dog's name in return for donations to amputate its leg.

Wayne Smith has been a volunteer at Epsom Canine Rescue (ECR) - an organisation run by volunteers which takes in unwanted and neglected dogs so they can be re-homed - for two-and-a-half-years.

As a small charity with no re-homing centre where the dogs can be viewed, ECR relies on its dogs to be fostered, with the average cost of a dog in its care normally exceeding £300 because many require veterinary treatment.

Mr Smith is fostering ECR’s longest resident, Potter, a dog which has "the features of a Labrador, a Bull Terrier and a Weinreimer", which was brought to the charity after it was found tied to a lamppost when it was three months old.

Last week, Mr Smith discovered that the one-and-a-half-year-old canine has a tumour on his shoulder which means its leg has to be amputated.

Moved by the much-loved dog's plight he decided to get a tattoo of Potter and the ECR’s logo if he can raise at least £2,000 to pay for the dog's treatment and help other strays.

The 29-year-old said: "Potter is the unofficial mascot of ECR and everyone knows who he is.

"He can be walking around Epsom at times and people spot him. He’s like a celebrity. The most handsome and friendly dog you will ever meet.

"The treatment Potter has already had, the operation and the rehabilitation therapy he will require will cost about £3,500.

"If I can raise my target amount I’ll get the tattoo because the ECR gives so many dogs a second chance.

"It’s also a bit extreme so hopefully the tattoo will raise a lot of money."

Mr Smith, a fitness instructor, said an influx of two to three dogs every day into the ECR over the Christmas and New Year period has also put a real strain on its work.

To make a donation to Mr Smith visit www.justgiving.com/INK4ECR

For more information on ECR visit www.epsomcaninerescue.co.uK