COLONEL Blashford, a black Labrador that accompanied North Thanet MP Roger Gale on many of his visits in the constituency, has died at the age of nine. The family pet was diagnosed with cancer of the kidneys three weeks ago.

Mr Gale said: “Blashers was a registered Pets As Therapy dog and was a frequent visitor to hundreds of residential homes in North Thanet. He also helped raise hundreds of pounds for national and local charities.

“He was a great character and a dearly oved member of our family. We are going to miss him dreadfully.”

The dog was named after the explorer and adventurer Colonel John Blashford Snell.