Two puppies that were left abandoned at the side of the road in south Buckinghamshire are close to being re-homed after a national television appearance.

The adorable pair, named William and Kate by staff at Stokenchurch Dog Rescue, were left in a cardboard box at the roadside just five weeks after being born.

And after a lot of tender loving care, as well as an appearance of The Paul O’Grady Show, both the Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix pets will soon be given to a loving family.

Stokenchurch Dog Rescue Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Vickers, said: “They were both abandoned and found in a box. We’re not too sure where they were left, but it was locally.

“At the time they were just five weeks old, which is far too young to be away from their mum – both were quite poorly.

“The staff here wanted to call them George and after the new royal baby, but at that time Charlotte hadn’t been born so we called them William and Kate.”

The female puppy has since been re-homed and the rescue centre expects calls to flood in for young William after his appearance on the ITV show.

Bucks Free Press:

Sadly, because of their size, the puppies were unable to stay in the kennels and instead had to be looked after by the centre manager (Alan Durrant, pictured) who lives on the site.

Ms Vickers added: “We have had our dogs on television a couple of times in the past and it really makes a big difference, not just with the ones on screen but for the others we have too.

“Unfortunately, we do take in a lot of dogs which have been abandoned, but this was very upsetting as they were so young.

“We’re so hopeful we can get William a nice permanent home.”

For more information about the centre, visit www.stokenchurchdogrescue.org.uk or phone 01494 482695.