Meet Nelson, the Black Country's star canine Winston Churchill lookalike

The beloved pooch's similarity to Winston Churchill has turned him into a celebrity at just six years old.

Owner Mark Fletcher said: "He has always been a bit of a star. People seem to just love him."

Mark bought Nelson as a puppy from Iron Legacy in Kingswinford six years ago and immediately began taking him on construction jobs for his firm Midland Builder.

He said: "We did a big job in Sutton Park, the Boathouse pub, and he became a right star with everyone so we made him the mascot of our building firm. Then when my kids began training at Coops Boxing Club in Pensnett he became their mascot too."

With the popularity of the Churchill Insurance nodding bulldog adverts, people were quick with a quip for Nelson, who loves attention.

However, this autumn Nelson went from being a legend in his own lunchtime to a bona fide star who is leading parades and now even has his own Instagram page - British Bulldog Nelson.

Mark, from Wombourne, said: "Winston Churchill lookalike Ian Jones approached us and asked if Nelson could join him at Stourbridge British Legion and it has just mushroomed from there.

"Before we knew it, he was leading the military parade and getting invitations all over the place. He has already been on TV."

Eight stone Nelson enjoys the fuss of being dressed up as he likes being the centre of attention. And his favourite dinner is a full lamb roast with all the trimmings - especially extra carrots.

Mark, 50, added: "He is stubborn, a bit like the real Winston Churchill was, and he knows when people are talking about him. But he is so loving and is great around children. My two daughters and son love him to bits.

"He is eight stone of pure muscle, like a bulldozer if he wants to be. He is such a great companion."

Bulldogs have a long history in England with the first known breeds being used for bull-baiting, a blood sport where dogs wrestled bulls to the ground. Bull-baiting was made illegal in 1835 but the distinctive appearance meant they became the favourite of all classes of dog owners. However, over breeding has led to many suffering health problems.

That is something Mark wanted to avoid. He said: "We researched the breed before buying Nelson from Iron Legacy in Kingswinford, his sire was a stud called Bison."

The dog's full name is Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, after another military legend who often vies with Churchill in Greatest Briton lists - but he answers to Nelson.

Churchill was the wartime leader who stood alone in the world against Hitler's Nazis and led the country to victory in World War Two.

Mark has a military background so was quick to spot the likeness, he said: "I was born in a barracks and am a military man's son. So I am patriotic and love what Winston Churchill stood for so when people kept on calling Nelson 'Winston' it felt great."

However, even youngsters who protest against Churchill's legacy because of some of his not-so-well aged points of view would not be in danger around Nelson.

Mark added: "He is a big dog but such a softie."