A TEENAGER who is living in a tent to look after her pet dog has been thrown a lifeline.

Kayleigh Caswell, 16, could soon be joining her mum Eileen in bed and breakfast accommodation after generous Dorset Echo readers offered a home for their beloved German Shepherd, Salty.

Kayleigh, who hopes to work in childcare, decided she would camp out in Weymouth rather than lose her beloved dog, who cannot stay in the bed and breakfast.

Mother and daughter have been placed in temporary accommodation by the council after they were made homeless. They hope to secure a flat for themselves and Salty in the near future.

Eileen Caswell, 52, said she was 'gob-smacked' by all the offers of help.

Among those who rang to offer a temporary home for Salty were Colin Roberts of Portland who has a 17-year-old Alsatian, two parrots and some goldfish.

He said: "My dog is mellow and I'm sure he'd get on with Salty."

Rose Atkinson of Winfrith said: "It's funny because I had to look after a German Shepherd for someone a while ago and I'd love to do it again.

"There's a big open field near where I live where Salty can run around."

Ann Till of Wyke Regis, who has four German Shepherds and a Yorkshire terrier, said: "It was so sad to read about the girl living in the tent that I thought someone must do something."

Norrie Pearce is managing director of Portland-based Chilport (UK) Ltd, a leading specialist security company which supplies dogs for all sorts of tasks including search and rescue, bomb detection and locating drugs.

He said: "I have a spare kennel which Salty could stay in here at Portland.

"We're pleased to help out in this situation. No one should live in a tent at that age."

Mrs Caswell said she would check out the several offers that had been made before making a decision.

She added: "It's absolutely amazing that we've had so many offers.

"I didn't think we would get anywhere but I was wrong. Thank you everyone."