Cumbria's most famous dog has achieved new recognition - after getting a council gritting wagon named after him.

Cumbria County Council has unveiled the gritter, named 'Maxi-Moover after local celebrity pet Max the Miracle dog.

The springer spaniel, from Keswick, shot to fame on social media after his owner Kerry Irving began posting videos of their daily walks online.

With more than 200,000 followers on the “Max out in the Lake District” Facebook page he shares with fellow springer spaniels, Paddy and Harry, it has proved a real hit.

On adding this accolade to the super-dog’s growing collection, Kerry said: “It’s going to be a great honour, it’s great as well that the gritter is actually going to be travelling around Keswick and Whinlatter looking after the roads around our home town.”

He said he was absolutely delighted with the award that reflected so well what the hero pooch had done all his life, in terms of helping people from all different walks and backgrounds.

Kerry said: “To see Max helping to bring something to the council and the highways now too it just ties in so well.”

In February this year, the therapy dog was the first animal to win a PDSA Order of Merit award, which is the equivalent to an OBE for animals, recognising the work that he had done to help his owner Kerry overcome depression after he became really badly injured in a serious car crash in 2006.

A statue has also been designed of the world’s favourite springer spaniel that is set to be placed on a bench in Keswick’s Hope Park,

The gritter will be used in the Keswick area during the winter where Max and his owner live with people being encouraged to stop and wave at the ‘Maxi-Moover’ whilst it passes their streets.

Councillor Keith Little, Cabinet Member for the Highways and Transport Committee met Max when he visited the gritter at its Lillyhall Depot earlier this week .

He said: “It was nice to meet Max, he’s obviously got some national support on his Facebook site as he has been helping lots of people to get through the pandemic and being in lockdown, so we were proud from Cumbria County Council to be asked if we could possibly name a gritter after him.”

It is understood that people will be informed when the gritter is travelling round Keswick and the surrounding areas so that fans of Max and his friends can watch the vehicle as it tours the town.

To follow more of Max’s journey, you can visit the Max Out in the Lake District page on Facebook.