Poppy is 'dog of honour' at Scott Smith and Hannah Wright's wedding

Eleven-year-old Labrador Poppy needed to lose almost half her body weight when she was adopted by engaged Lymm couple Scott Smith and Hannah Wright.

And Poppy slimmed down for her owners’ big day - having weighed 40kg and needed to lose the equivalent of four Yorkshire terriers - and accompanied Scott in a Volkswagen campervan to the wedding venue in Dunham Massey, before helping to calm his nerves as he waited for Hannah to walk down the aisle.

Poppy with Scott on his wedding day

Scott said: “She stole our hearts straight away - we just looked into her eyes and saw her wagging tail, and that was it.

“We were committed to helping her lose weight, and as we were already planning the wedding we knew she’d have a big role in the day - so rather than watching our waistlines, we were watching hers.

“There was never a doubt that she would be with us at our wedding, and she really helped keep me calm.

“It was lovely having her by my side whilst I watched Hannah walk down the aisle.”

The happy couple and the dog of honour

Poppy was given a tailored exercise regime at the Dogs Trust Manchester, where she spent a month before being rehomed by Scott and Hannah.

Scott added: “She completes our family, we can’t imagine life without her - she is simply the best dog.

“We would have loved her to have reached her weightloss target by the wedding, but it has been so hot this summer that we’ve had to be very careful exercising her - we are still aiming to reach her goal of 25kg.

“She is much happier and healthier having lost the weight, so we’re going to keep on going so she can get the most fun out of life as possible.”

Carol Margieson, assistant manager at the Dogs Trust Manchester, said: “Poppy was a very portly pooch when she arrive with us, and it’s brilliant that Scott and Hannah have carried on making sure she loses weight.

“She looked great on the wedding day and it’s wonderful that she is at the heart of such a loving family.”