AN abused dog left for dead on a Mediterranean island after being tied to a post with a broken leg has been given a new lease of life in the Lake District.

Cher - a cross between a golden retriever and a Greek domestic dog called a kokoni - was originally found on the streets of Nicosia in Cyprus.

It is believed the two-and-a-half-year-old bitch had been badly beaten and is still fearful of sticks.

She was rescued by the animal charity ‘Dog Rescue Cyprus’ - aka ‘DALI’ - and brought to England by marathon-mad Hayley Leece, 35, who lives in Ambleside.

And now - with Cher running at her side during training - Hayley is raising funds for the rescue charity having just completed an epic ultra marathon, Rat Race’s ‘Man vs Lakes’, covering some 32 miles in the process.

Hayley, reception manager at the Langdale Chase Hotel on the shores of Windermere, said: “When we first saw photos of Cher online, she looked so broken. You could see the deep sadness in her eyes.

“Her leg had been completely shattered and she’d been tied to her lamppost to die. I dread to think how much she must have suffered. She’s still scared of sticks, which indicates she was probably beaten.

“But to look at her now it’s hard to recognise the same dog.

“She’s healthy, happy and full of life and she’s certainly not letting her wonky leg stand in her way!

“Her favourite thing to do is to accompany me on long runs in the Lake District fells. In fact, she gets so upset if I go out without her.

“Which is why Cher and I are using our mutual love of running to raise much needed funds for other dogs in Cher’s position. It’s the least we can do.”

Last month Hayley took part in Rat Race’s Man vs Lakes, an extraordinary challenge beginning on the sands of Morecambe Bay and finishing near Coniston.

Not only was Cher waiting for her at the finish line, but Hayley says it was her canine companion who helped her rack-up the preparatory training miles.

Explaining how Cher came into her life, Hayley - who lives with chef partner Tom Varga - revealed: “I don’t know why I even Googled the rescue charity in Cyprus. But it must have been divine intervention - she was just meant to be with us.

“If it wasn't for being taken into the care of DALI, she would have spent two weeks in a municipality pound before being euthanised. DALI take dogs under their wing who have essentially been sentenced to death in the pound and take care of them for as long as it takes in order to find a home.

“Yet when she eventually got to England, we just gelled straight away.

Hayley received Cher after paying £425 for the dog to be flown to the UK with all vaccinations and a pet passport.

And now Hayley will be lacing-up her running shoes with Cher once more as they set their sights on a new challenge - to ‘bag’ all 214 of the Lakeland fells documented by acclaimed author Alfred Wainwright.

So far Hayley has raised more than £700 for the rescue charity through her Rat Race Man vs Lakes feat - but she’s hoping to raise even more.

To donate, go to: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/chertakesthelakes

To enter next year’s Rat Race Man vs Lakes event, go to: http://ratracemanvslakes.co.uk/