A CHILLY snowdog was given a warm welcome by Tynedale schoolchildren as he settled into his new home last week.

One of the 61 decorated snowdogs has wandered off the region’s art trail to a new home at Mowden Hall School in Newton.

Chilly Dog, by artist Sally Adams, was bought by a parent of the school and given to the children to look after.

And he was given a warm welcome by the youngsters as he arrived at the school last week.

He has now gone indoors to stay warm during the Christmas holidays.

The snowdog had been on display at the Royal Quays outlet centre in North Shields for 10 weeks during the Great North Snowdogs public art trail.

The trail, held in partnership with St Oswald’s Children’s Hospice, saw 61 snowdog sculptures, based on the story of The Snowman and the Snowdog by Raymond Briggs, take up residence in public spaces across the region.

On December 6, the sculptures were auctioned, raising a total of £259,200 for St Oswald’s Hospice.

Chilly Dog, which is based on the idea of warming up a cold dog, was purchased by a parent of a Mowden Hall pupil.

Headteacher at Mowden Hall Neal Bailey said: “We’re looking after Chilly Dog indefinitely.

“When he arrived, the children were all rushing out to see him.

“He’s fantastic, and it raises awareness of the charity and gives us an opportunity to talk about it with the children as well.”