JESTER the homeless mongrel has been adopted thanks to the Evening Advertiser.

Swindon Animal Sanctuary spent three months trying to find a home for the excitable 10-month-old dog, but said prospective owners were put off by his "natural friendliness and enthusiasm".

Now, after Jester's tale appeared in the paper on Satur-day, Dud and Tracey Davies have welcomed him to their Freshbrook home with open arms.

Production operator Dud, 35, of Win-wick Road, said: "He's not that lively, he's as good as gold. He's not a problem at all and has settled in already."

Dud read about Jester who has fox terrier blood and his wife Tracey surfed the internet to find out more details about him.

The couple, who have an eight year-old son Adam, already own two Jack Russells, two-year-olds Sadie and Jaffa.

Jester has been busy playing with them, and they have been busy getting used to him, said Dud.

Tracey, 26, a catering assistant, said: "Jaffa was a bad mess when we first saw him and Jester looked the same. We just saw him and thought poor little thing. When he was brought round to us on Saturday he just fitted right in.

"Les and Irene Pike had looked after him for the sanctuary but we said we would take him."

Tracey said that Adam, a pupil at Tregoze Primary School, is particularly fond of the latest addition to the family.

She added: "Adam absolutely loves Jester, who is always jumping up at him."

Swindon Animal Sanctuary chairman Kate Rayner said: "Jester's a lovely dog. I'm sure he will be happy in his new home."