Just to show that dog is a fan's best friend

When soccer fan Peter Birney went to bed dog-tired one night, little did he imagine that he would dream up another niche in the football merchandising market.

The Newcastle fan dreamt that his dog - named Bobby, after the Magpies' current manager - was wearing a coat in the club's famous black and white colours.

He set about making the dream a reality - the Soccer Dog Coat Company is the result.

Now hoping to branch out into feline fashion - he has started work on a range of natty knitwear for cats - Peter has already had orders from every corner of Britain and even abroad.

The 28-year-old, from Jesmond, Newcastle, began by painstakingly piecing together designs for Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

The waterproof coats have printed designs on the outside and snug fleece on the inside.

Peter said: "If it works for dogs, then I thought it would work for cats, although very few of them would actually keep it on.

"I've yet to look at hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs - I don't really think there'd be much of a market out there."

He has already expanded his horizons. His company now sells wheelie bin covers in the colours of your favourite football club.

To find out more, go to his website at www.soccerdogs.co.uk