A beloved family pet is now recovering at home after it was attacked by a venomous snake in Moresby.

Banksy, a six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was bitten on his chest by an adder while out walking at the Walkmill Community Woodland.

The dog's owners, Stephanie Graham, 34, and her partner, Luke Smith, from Moresby, are relieved to have their dog home after the ordeal.

Stephanie said: "He's still got the purple colouring on his chest, but he's back to his normal self now, which is a relief. It's frightening to think it was so close to his heart.

"He's very much a part of the family and the two nights without him while he was at the vet's didn't feel right. He's a big part of our lives and our house isn't a home without him.

"Our 14 month old daughter River loves him too - she says woof woof for Banksy and is always pleased to see him.

"We had no idea there were snakes at Moresby - we had heard about them at Drigg. We don't want to scare people, we just want them to be aware."

The dog was out with Stephanie's dad at the time of the attack.

Stephanie said: "My dad takes him down there regularly.

"Banksy was off the lead running ahead when my dad saw him jump. As he got closer, he saw there was a snake on the path.

"They carried on walking but my dad could tell Banksy was struggling and then he collapsed twice.

"My dad managed to get him back to a friend's house, who took him to get his car. My dad rushed him to the vets and he was given injections and medication to take home."

She said when when she got home from work the following day, she noticed a lump by Banksy's elbow and a lot of fluid on his chest.

"I took him back to the vets and they said they weren't happy with the discolouration on his chest. They kept him in for two nights and gave him steroids to flush all the toxins through his system."

Ian Hunter, a vet at Galemire Veterinary Hospital in Cleator Moor which treated Banksy, has reassured members of the public who may be concerned about the risk of adder attacks.

"People shouldn't worry too much - adder bites aren't that common," he said.

"Adders have classically been seen in the Drigg area but we have had them up and down the coast.

"If your dog was to get bitten, you should take it straight to the vet for medical attention.

"It's very old and very young dogs that are most at risk because their systems can't cope with the poison."

Adders are the only venomous snakes native to the UK, but they are not aggressive creatures.

They will only use their venom as a last means of defence, usually if caught or trodden on.

They are relatively common in areas of rough, open countryside and are often associated with woodland edge habitats.