AN award-winning dog which survived a hit-and-run incident with a driver has helped open a new pet store.

Laurence Cawley

AN award-winning dog which survived a hit-and-run incident with a driver has helped open a new pet store.

Pets at Home opened its doors in Bury St Edmunds over weekend.

The event was marked by the choir of Barrow Primary School which sang a score of pet-related songs before they were treated to a special animal care workshop run by the Pets at Home team.

The grand opening was also attended by Pet Star competition winner Storm, a two-year-old black labrador dog who lost a leg following a collision with a car.

He was found battered and bruised in undergrowth before he was treated by vets.

Owner Samm Brownsmith said: “Storm is the most wonderful dog that anyone could care to have around and he has been made all the more wonderful in our eyes with his attitude through this experience.

“His tail has never stopped wagging and he has lost none of his lovely temperament, despite the numerous blood transfusions, and operations he has had to endure.”

“Opening the new Pets at Home store in Bury St Edmunds is such a treat for Storm and I know he is incredibly excited about coming along.”

Storm and Samm received �200 worth of Pets at Home vouchers to spend in the new store.

Store manager Susan Clifford, said: “We've all worked really hard to get the store looking fantastic for our customers and their pets this weekend.

“The opening went fantastically well, and I am very excited for our future in Bury. We look forward to being actively involved in the local pet community from day one and hope that we are able to support local organisations in raising awareness of responsible pet care in the town.”

Seven new jobs have been created as a result of the �400,000 store.