England's number one fan is urging the nation's football stars to win in Germany this weekend.

Emily the bulldog has been chosen to provide a patriotic boost for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men in their crunch World Cup qualifier in Munich.

The three-year-old dog is owned by bulldog breeders Sara and Jackie Lamont from Portslade.

The mother and daughter team breed and show bulldogs at competitions all over the country, winning dozens of trophies along the way.

But their most unusual assignment came this week when bulldog Emily was selected to head a national newspaper's campaign to back the England squad.

The star hound dressed in the St George's Cross and an England hat as a symbol of the same bulldog spirit David Beckham and his team hoped to display.

Jackie, 43, said: "Emily is what everyone expects the typical British bulldog to look like so she is perfect for the England team.

"She has been pictured with flags, hats, footballs even frankfurter sausages and she happily poses. She's the perfect model."

Emily's bulldog boyfriend Henry and their puppies Ronnie and Arthur have also got in on the act during the past week.

Jackie's daughter Sara, 19, who acts as handler for the pedigree dogs, said: "It has all been a bit of fun but hopefully Emily will bring the team some luck."