A Valentine's Day initiative by Battersea staff to raise awareness of a mongrel in their care sadly ended without anyone coming forward to offer the dog a new home.

The staff threw five-year-old Luke a special Valentine’s Day date in the hope that someone would come forward to find out more about the loveable rescue dog. 

However, Luke, who found himself at Battersea as a stray, was left to celebrate the most romantic day of the year alone after nobody came to meet him.

Luke has now been at the charity’s Kent branch at Brands Hatch for 206 days, which is over five times as long as the average Battersea dog (35 days).

Michelle Bevan, centre manager at Battersea Brands Hatch said: “Valentine’s Day is a time to show your appreciation for those you care about, so it’s heart-breaking knowing that Luke spent the day without anybody to love after nobody came to meet him for a date. Thankfully, Battersea staff were on hand to show Luke plenty of love and affection instead.

“Despite being a large dog, Luke is really just a big softie and enjoys nothing more than to cuddle up by a radiator with his favourite people and a cuddly toy. We’re really hoping that someone will love him for the big lapdog that he truly is and give him the chance to be loved as he deserves.”

As Luke arrived at Battersea as a stray, staff at the charity don’t know much about his past relationship history. However, while Luke loves to be around people, his worries around other dogs means that he is looking to be the only dog in his new home.