A STOURTON couple's ‘beautifully ugly’ French bulldog pup will star in the new series of The Dog Rescuers.

Mogwai and his brother Yoda were found dumped in a cardboard box in Pontypool Park, Wales, on November 12 last year.

They were underweight and bald as a skin condition had caused them to lose their fur.

The pair were given lots of TLC and rehabilitation at the RSPCA's Newport Animal Centre and now both have now found loving new homes.

Mogwai’s new owner Richard Lloyd-Roberts, who lives in Stourton with his wife Wendy, said: “Mogwai is doing brilliantly.

"He’s made amazing progress in integrating into our family home – and after 48 hours it felt like he owned the place! He is so precious and rewarding for the whole family."

Mr Lloyd-Roberts continued: "We used to have Doberman dogs, and it broke our hearts when the last one died four years ago. We weren’t sure if we would have another dog – but, by fate, we spotted Mogwai, and fell in love with him from day one.

“My wife has MS – and he is just amazing company for her. We couldn’t wish for a better dog. Mogwai had such a difficult start to life, but couldn’t have settled in any better and is such a special member of the family.”

Meanwhile Yoda has found a loving home in Somerset with Doreen Bunch, who added: "He's a joy to have, and the whole family absolutely love him."

RSPCA inspector Simon Evans, who gave the pups their names because of their strange otherworldly appearance, said: "They were such beautifully ugly dogs - which is why I called them Yoda and Mogwai.

“When the pair came into our care, they were in a truly horrendous state; very underweight and with serious skin problems.

“Their transformation in RSPCA care was truly remarkable, and it’s fantastic that their story is to play such a central role in the new series of the The Dog Rescuers. The public are sure to love following their story."

The pups will kick off the fifth series of the show, which is presented by Alan Davies, when it airs tonight (Tuesday) at 8pm on Channel 5.