A FEARLESS sausage dog who saved the lives of five children from a Swindon house fire this month has been shortlisted as one of Britain’s most heroic pets.

Wally, a one-year-old miniature dachshund, alerted his owner to the fire just in time for the children to be rescued from the blaze.

Chris Bevington, 39, and Charlotte Coultas, 39, live on Welcombe Avenue but were alerted to a fire at their property - where five children were inside - by Wally's bark on December 10.

The heroic actions of the young dog have earned him a list of 10 pets from across the country who have been honoured for their courageous acts.

The awards are organised by Pets4Homes which is the UK’s largest site for animal adoption and rehoming.

“Pets4Homes has collated a list of heroic pets from around the UK - and the details of their courageous deeds - to celebrate the bond between pet parents and their animals,” read a statement from the adoption initiative.

“The animal lovers at Pets4Homes scoured regional and national news from the past twelve months to find the most impressive and significant feats by our furry friends.”

The adoption agency was founded in 2005 and has grown and grown ever since with more than 2,700 pets being rehomed each day.