A rescue dog who weighs the same as a baby elephant or a heavyweight boxer has been crowned the UK's top dog at a glitzy awards ceremony.

Galahad the mastiff, who was adopted earlier this year by a Rochester family, has taken the title at the awards celebrating Britain's best pets.

He was the largest dog ever looked after and rehomed by the Dogs Trust at the welfare charity's Canterbury sanctuary when he was taken in by the Dimmock family in June.

Gentle giant Galahad loves nothing more than sharing, or taking over, the three-seater sofa for dog naps with his owners Colin and Lindy and their 15-year-old son Matthew.

The five-year-old pooch hit the headlines earlier this year when an appeal to help find his forever home went viral.

Several owners had tried to take him in but struggled to cope due to his mammoth size until the Dimmocks came along.

Dad Colin said: "He’s fantastic – he sits, gives you his paw, he comes up and gives you a kiss, he’s met cyclists, tractors, cars and other dogs.

"He’s just starting to play tug. He’ll chase a football down the garden and once he’s punctured it he’ll bring it back.

"We haven’t found a toy he can’t destroy yet - typically they last about a day.

“He snores so loudly we can hear him from our bedroom."

He was named Dog of the Year at the Daily Mirror's People's Pet Awards which was held on Thursday evening and will be aired on YouTube tomorrow (Tuesday) night from 7pm on the award's dedicated channel.

Speaking at the awards, which took place at London's Grosvenor Hotel, Colin added: "It feels quite surreal that he’s won this award, but he’s a really special dog and we’re thrilled. We’re so grateful to Dogs Trust for bringing him into our lives.

“Galahad is the fourth really big dog we’ve had and is the biggest of them all. Every one of them has been so loveable and loyal.

“He’s absolutely brilliant with Matthew, who is autistic. They have such a great relationship. He loves everything about Galahad, apart from the slobber."

The awards show was attended by a host of household names including broadcaster Nicky Campbell, this year's Bake Off winner Giuseppe Dell'Anno and hosted by comedian and presenter Judi Love.

Galahad was presented his award by Eamonn Holmes who was won over by the dog's charm.

The broadcaster, who is a patron for Dogs Trust, said: "I think it’s amazing that this beautiful animal has found its forever home thanks to Dogs Trust.

“The Dimmock family obviously love him, despite the size of the undertaking of looking after him. This is a massive animal and his family have made a massive commitment, but they are all so happy.

"It makes me very proud to see dogs in loving families. There is a family for every dog and that’s why we should adopt them."

Judge and Dogs Trust chief executive Owen Sharp, who joined 80s pop icon Shirlie Kemp, Love Island host Laura Whitmore and Nicky Campbell on the panel, said: “I’ve heard so much about Galahad and it was brilliant to finally have the chance to meet the lovable giant.

“The entire judging panel were touched by the gentle giant’s journey to finding his forever home.

“The stories behind the award winners are all so heart-warming and inspirational – from campaigners who are working to change the law to help animals, to animals who have changed the lives of the people they share theirs with, just like Galahad.”