LILY the mongrel puppy was one of the first pooches to go online to promote a stray dogs website in North Yorkshire.

Selby District Council dog warden Bill Parker takes photographs of abandoned dogs and then puts them on the council website to try to find them a home.

So far it has been a big success, with animal lovers from all over the country logging on.

Mr Parker said: "I have had inquiries from people as far away as London.

"Not only can they view the dogs on the web page, they can fill in an electronic application form online."

Evening Press award-winning photographer Garry Atkinson caught Lily, a three-month-old black and tan mongrel, trying to log on to a "lap-dog" computer as she tried to find homes for some of her old pals. Lily was born at the Selby council kennels at Rose Farm, Church Fenton, after her pregnant mother, Darla, was dumped in a street.

Darla had a litter of nine puppies at the kennels and all of them have been found new homes, including Lily, who stole the heart of kennels' worker Fran Heaney.

Mr Parker said: "We are one of the few local authorities who refuse to have stray dogs put to sleep.

"All our dogs are micro-chipped and neutered by the council and each dog comes with a seven-day trial."

Anyone interested in adopting a dog can visit the website www.selby.gov.uk and click on dog adoption, or phone Mr Parker on 01757 292123.

Updated: 09:42 Saturday, February 19, 2005