A pub dog that frequently escapes from his home to walk the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks has been given a special honour.

Morris, who lives with his owners Sabena and Colin Martin in the Old Hill Inn in Chapel le Dale, regularly sneaks out to join groups of walkers as they leave to continue their hikes and has often been found miles away.

Now – in recognition of his love of exploring the fells – the 13-year-old pooch has been made an Honorary Friend of the Three Peaks, the group set up by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority as part of its newly-launched Three Peaks Project.

And Morris, whose favourite hill appears to be Ingleborough, has also received a medal from the Project to celebrate reaching the summit 32 times since Easter.

Three Peaks Project Manager Steve Hastie said: "We saw the story about Morris in some of the local weekly newspapers and we wanted to reward him for his enthusiasm. There are medals available for climbing each of the Three Peaks, so we might yet be back to celebrate Morris’s further achievements.

“The Old Hill Inn is on the Three Peaks Challenge route and sees a fair share of walkers passing through. We want to get the message out to as many people as possible so it’s great that businesses are interested in helping. As well as raising income we are working to promote sustainable use of the area, and supporting local businesses is part of that.”

Sabena and Colin have also signed up as Corporate Friends, joining the growing number of local businesses supporting the footpath restoration and maintenance work of the National Park Authority in the Three Peaks area.

Corporate Friends promote the aims of the project to their customers, helping visitors to ‘put something back’. Cash raised goes directly towards keeping paths in good order.

Sabena said: “The Three Peaks Project is a pretty good idea – if it helps the area than I’m all for it.”

Alan Hulme, the YDNPA’s Ranger Services Manager, said: “Morris is a professional escapologist but, generally, if you are planning to take you dog on a walk in the area, we would recommend that it is kept on a lead. It is especially important for the next few months because there will be a lot of pregnant ewes on the fells.”