A starving dog found at the side of the road just hours from death will tonight become a TV star after her miraculous recovery.

Previously known as Snoopy, Lily was mistaken for a pile of rags lying in the road.

John and Hazel Catt swerved to avoid the tan lurcher, but stopped to investigate what they had seen.

The dog was so weak that she had collapsed in Woolley Road, Senacre, and the Catts rushed her to Mote Park vets.

She weighed just 10kg when she was found in February, but with the help of the couple, who have now rehomed her, she has made a miraculous recovery and now weighs 20kg.

Mrs Catt, 67, said: "We were taking my sister home and driving along Woolley Road when I saw the cars in front of us were driving around to avoid something in the road. We stopped to see what it was."

"We thought she had been knocked over by a car, then John had a proper look at her and he said 'this hasn't been a car accident, this dog is starving'.

"She was so weak she couldn't even stand up. We scooped her up in a blanket and she was shaking, she was so cold.

"The vets said if she'd been there overnight she probably wouldn't have survived."

The vets called the RSPCA, and Snoopy was later taken to the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre.

Not only had she been starved, but she also had wounds on her face, back, and tail.

The couple were told by vets that the injuries were likely to have been caused from being kept in a small, cramped cage.

The retired carer from Yalding added: "How could somebody do that? I just don't understand it. You can't get your head around that kind of cruelty.

"We thought almost right away that we could give her a home. She needed our help."

Four months after she moved to her new Yalding home, Lily is still timid with strangers but is gaining confidence and has a strong bond with her new owners.

Mr Catt, 69, said: "When we found her I was the one that got to her first and was talking to her. I don't know if she remembers or not but I think it sealed our bond as my voice calms her now."

Rosie Russon, an RSPCA inspector, said: "It’s incredibly rewarding when a horrible story such as Lily’s has a happy ending.

"She clearly had a very sad start in life - but, regardless, she is such a sweet and friendly dog who has now been given the second chance at happiness she deserves."

Mr Catt added: "Step by step she is getting better with traffic and cars, she’s getting better with new people and has a few dog pals.

"We think she deserves to be a little bit spoilt now."

Lily’s remarkable rescue will feature on Channel 5’s Dog Rescuers tonight.

The show goes behind the scenes at the RSPCA and shows dogs being saved from neglect and abuse.

Unfortunately, the RSPCA wasn't able to track down Lily’s original owners and find out how she came to be abandoned in this way.

If you have details, please call the appeal line on 0300 123 8018.