The RSPCA has found the owner of an inquisitive black pooch that made its own way to a sponsored dog walk.

The charity's Big Walkies event - a walk to help protect more animals from cruelty and neglect - took place in Maidstone's Mote Park on Sunday.

The ears of this curious canine must have pricked up at the word walkies because it was found wandering around the course by a local dog owner.

Michelle Cole wasn't taking part in the sponsored walk but was strolling around the park, in Mote Avenue, with her King Charles Spaniel, Jake, when the black-furred dog approached her.

She said: "I was just walking around when the dog came out from under a tree, I could see a family there so originally I thought it was theirs. But it followed me and my dog around for a bit and was playing with my dog. I couldn't hear anyone calling for it and it didn't have a collar on.

"I managed to walk it back towards the RSPCA who put a lead around him. It was a lovely little dog so I really hope its owners are found. It looks well looked after."

All dogs that take place in the sponsored walk wear a special bandana, but this particular pooch was without one.

Staff at the Leybourne RSPCA Animal Centre in West Malling, who organised the Maidstone event, posted pictures online and asked people to share them across social media.

It has now been confirmed that the dog and its owner have been reunited.