Meet the latest recruit to a bowls club!

Charlie the retriever may be more used to fetching things than bowling them, but he is the club's greatest fan.

Now he has been rewarded for his loyalty.

And while a box of canned dog food may not be everyone’s idea of a welcome gift, 12-year-old Charlie was delighted.

Whatever the weather, virtually every day Charlie makes the short walk from his home at Moatwell animal sanctuary to Ash Bowls Club, near Sandwich.

Visiting teams as well as home club players have come to know him and appreciate his keen adherence to bowls etiquette.

Club co-president Ruby Byrne said: “They have come to love and respect his unswerving support for the club and felt it was time for that loyalty to be properly recognised.

“He has a lovely temperament and we are honoured that he adopted us.”

Charlie was presented with a medallion, certificate and box of food for him and his chums.

Liz Case, who owns the Moatwell sanctuary, said: “Charlie simply loves the bowling club. We are delighted it has acknowledged him in this way.”

Charlie endears himself to everyone and has had many offers of a new home, but Mrs Case promised his original owner that she would never pass him on.