LANCASTER could have its very own record breaker - in Nizzie the dog.

The 'well-loved' terrier has reached the ripe old age of 26.

And his owner Ricky Johnson believes that could make him the oldest dog in Britain.

Ricky, of Sycamore Grove, Lancaster, inherited Nizzie from his daughter Carol after she received the eight-week-old puppy as an 18th birthday present - and he has been a faithful companion ever since.

Although Nizzie is 'stone deaf' and 'pretty blind', he still takes himself out for a walk and is very popular with local residents.

Ricky, who will be 70 himself on Christmas Day, says: "He plays with all the kids especially if they have a ball. He takes it off them and he can be very energetic despite his age."

According to the 2004 Guinness Book of Records, the oldest dog in the world is 27 and lives in the USA.

But a spokesman says that 26 is 'very old' for a dog and Nizzie could well be the oldest in Britain.