Well aisle be... dog does the shopping

A DOG that can use a cash machine, shop in a supermarket and open drawers was named Dog of the Millennium.

Endal, a yellow labrador, performs vital everyday tasks for a disabled Gulf War veteran, Alan Parton, of Clanfield, near Portsmouth. Jilly Cooper, the novelist, chose the dog yesterday as the winner out of 3,000 entries in a national competition. The labrador was trained by a charity, Canine Partners for Independence, to help Mr Parton with tasks such as shopping.

Mr Parton, who was partly paralysed in the conflict, said: "When I got Endal, it was like all my birthdays had come together. It is unbelievable what this dog can do."

Mr Parton won pounds 500 and a six-month supply of food for Endal. Other finalists won categories including most intelligent dog, most appealing eyes and canine survivor.