A MUCH-loved cartoon character that has delighted thousands of Westmorland Gazette readers around the globe has received an image makeover courtesy of a South Lakeland student.

Spot the Dog has graced the back page of the Gazette for around 20 years and editor/publisher Mike Glover decided the loveable pooch needed a bit of a 21st century revamp.

"In my view it was time to rejuvenate it for the local audience and remind people that it can appeal to the young as well as to the traditional reader and I wanted the new design to emphasise a youthful image.".

So, he decided to turn to students at Kendal's Queen Katherine School for some ideas.

Around 40 drawings were submitted and the design of self-confessed "compulsive doodler" Michael Hanlon was selected.

For full story and to find out some of the prizes on offer, see the May 18 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.