A British bulldog has become a local celebrity is his home town due to his uncanny resemblance - to Winston Churchill.

Owner Mark Fletcher, 50, says his six-year-old pooch has become a star since people started pointing out he looked like Britain's great wartime leader.

Mark bought Nelson as a puppy and immediately began taking him on construction jobs for his building firm where he soon proved a popular mascot.

And in early November he led a Remembrance Day parade in Stourbridge, West Mids., after being approached by another Winston Churchill lookalike.

The celebrity mutt now even has his own Instagram page and is fast becoming an online hit.

Mark, from Wombourne, Staffs., said: "He has always been a bit of a star. People seem to just love him."

"We did a big job in Sutton Park, the Boathouse pub, and he became a right star with everyone so we made him the mascot of our building firm. "

"Then when my kids began training at Coops Boxing Club in Pensnett he became their mascot too."

"Winston Churchill lookalike Ian Jones approached us and asked if Nelson could join him at Stourbridge British Legion and it has just mushroomed from there."

"Before we knew it, he was leading the military parade and getting invitations all over the place. He has already been on TV."

Mark said eight stone Nelson enjoys the fuss of being dressed up as he likes being the centre of attention.

And his favourite dinner is a full lamb roast with all the trimmings - especially extra carrots.

Mark added: "He is stubborn, a bit like the real Winston Churchill was, and he knows when people are talking about him. "

"But he is so loving and is great around children. My two daughters and son love him to bits."

"He is eight stone of pure muscle, like a bulldozer if he wants to be. He is such a great companion."

"He is a big dog but such a softie."

The dog's full name is Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, after another military legend who often vies with Churchill in Greatest Briton lists - but he answers to Nelson.

Churchill was the wartime leader who stood alone in the world against Hitler's Nazis and led the country to victory in World War Two.

Mark has a military background so said he was quick to spot the likeness himself.

He added: "I was born in a barracks and am a military man's son. "

"So I am patriotic and love what Winston Churchill stood for so when people kept on calling Nelson 'Winston' it felt great."