A Watford vicar says welcoming a puppy into his vicarage after an older member of the parish could no longer look after her is a way of ‘sharing love within the parish’.

Father David Stevenson, who is the vicar of St John’s Church, has taken on the task of looking after a seven month old Yorkshire terrier, after an elderly member of the parish was struggling to juggle looking after the puppy and her own dog.

Jean, who is 93, had been finding it difficult to look after the excitable bundle, as she already owns her own Yorkshire terrier, Maggie, who is eight. Father David volunteered to take her on and has been looking after the puppy since Sunday evening (January 6).

The vicar, who has lovingly called his new pet Lulu, said: "Lulu is just a little darling and full of life - it has been pretty hectic here. "It wasn’t a tough decision however I did think about it carefully because you have to be fully prepared to take on a dog and provide all the love, commitment, care and nurturing they require.

"I am really enjoying it and she seems to have settled in well - Jean has taught her well and given her a good start in life.

"We will now get her trained so she can come in to the church. It will be something for the children and adults alike."

Father David, who has been at the church in Sutton Road for 14 months, says he decided to call her Lulu after both the singer and Alban Berg's opera star, Lulu.

He said: "Both Lulu’s are flamboyant and have a flair. I feel this matched our Lulu."

Father David, who is originally from Christchurch in New Zealand, had previously owned two pet cats Puck and Oberon, who have now passed away.

Six weeks ago he lost his eldest cat, Oberon, at the age of 16 and Father David says the presence of Lulu has filled an empty hole.

He said: "Jean found it really difficult to give her away. However it’s great because Jean was keen to make sure Lulu went to someone she knew and now this means she will still see her all the time.

"It will be wonderful to have a pet in the parish. Lulu is really beautiful and will share unconditional love within the parish."