The dog, found on England's highest peak, has been named Scafell and is in the care of the SSPCA

An animal charity is hoping hillwalkers can solve the mystery of a dog found on top of England’s highest mountain.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is caring for a collie-cross discovered by a couple of holidaymakers on Scafell Pike on Saturday.

The pair, from Maybole in Ayrshire, took the dog home after failing to find his owners despite contacting police. Now the SSPCA is asking if anyone recognises the animal.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “He has been nicknamed Scafell and is now in the care of our animal rescue and rehoming centre in Glasgow.

“Scafell was petrified and nervous and it took the finders around half an hour to coax him over to them.

“They advised they did try and get help in England and had called the police but they hadn’t been able to assist so they took him home because they were so worried about him and then called us.

“Unfortunately Scafell isn’t microchipped so we have been unable to trace his owner. We have also searched for information about dogs who have gone missing in the area with no luck.”

Anyone who recognises him is being urged to contact the SSPCA’s Glasgow centre on 03000 999 999.

Last year, another collie, Jasper, sparked a major search after escaping from his owner on the Scafell Pike range. Mountaineer Geoff Horky found the dog on Broad Crag after heading up on to the mountain in the middle of the night.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team helped him recover the dog to safety, and benefited to the tune of £63,000 after donations came in from across the world following Jasper’s owner Adam Nolan’s social media campaign.