A DOG that was badly abused and left for dead in Cyprus three years ago is now thriving with her new owner in the heart of the Lake District.

Cher is a cross between a golden retriever and a Greek domestic dog called a Kokoni.

She was originally found abused on the streets of Nicosia, Cyprus.

Sadly, the dog’s leg had been completely shattered and she was found tied to a lamppost and left to die.

New owner, 37-year-old Hayley Leece, of Ambleside, found Cher when she did some research on the internet about the D.O.G Rescue Cyprus charity.

It is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of abandoned, abused and neglected dogs in Cyprus.

They have a volunteer team in Cyprus who look after the dogs that come under their care in the pound and kennels in Dali.

In the UK it is a registered charity and it also has an army of volunteers who work closely with the team in Cyprus to help rehome dogs with adopters and foster carers.

Hayley managed to bring Cher to her new home in 2016 after she paid £425 for the dog to be flown to the UK with all vaccinations and a pet passport.

“Cher is nearly four. She now celebrates her birthday on the same day as the singer Cher as we don’t know her real birthday,” said Hayley.

Hayley and Cher plan on completing all 214 of the Lakeland fells documented by acclaimed author Alfred Wainwright.

“We are up to just over 100,” she said.

“We haven’t done as many recently as I’ve been doing marathons and ultra marathons.

“I’m trying to raise money for the D.O.G Rescue to help build new dog shelters in Cyprus.”

Hayley has raised nearly £2,000 while the charity has successfully raised £70,000.

However, another £100,000 is needed for the new dog shelter to become a reality.

Hayley said: “Cher is amazing. She gets more and more confident but she is still really neurotic and doesn’t like to be left alone, but she probably always will be like that.”

To donate visit totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/conistonmarathonforcher