A dog that visited a social club so often with its owner it was made a member has won £50 in a club draw.

William Wilson paid the £2.50 fee for his three-year-old Jack Russell terrier Zak to join Bebside Welfare Social Centre, in Blyth, Northumberland.

One member blasted the win saying it was "absolutely ridiculous" and contravenes club rules.

But the club paid out the winnings from the weekly club draw, saying there is no problem having a dog as a member.

Mr Wilson, 34, plans to spend the winnings on Zak and continue to pay future 50p annual membership fees.

'Laughing stock'

But former steward and one-time club chairman Joe Wright, 68, said the win made locals look stupid.

He said "I'm not bothered about the fact the dog comes to the club... how on earth can you make an animal a member of a club.

"I blame the administration of the club for making the dog a member in the first place.

"It's absolutely ridiculous and will make Geordies the proverbial butt of the joke again and make us a laughing stock."

The small club, which is not Club and Institute Union affiliated, is essentially a Miners Welfare Club and has trustees appointed by British Coal.