An abandoned dog rescued by Essex soldiers from the rubble of warn-torn Afghanistan is settling in to his new home.

The young labrador cross, called Tiger, was found whimpering in the wreckage of a bombed-out building in Kabul by troops from Colchester.

When they brought him back to England he had to spend six months in quarantine before going to his new home.

We fed him on Army rations - he particularly liked beef stew and dumplings

Warrant Officer Graeme Smith

Warrant Officer Graeme Smith, who brought Tiger back to England, said: "We had just moved base to the west of Kabul to carry out mine clearance and set up camp when we noticed a puppy hanging round.

"He was very scrawny and malnourished and looked as if he had been beaten a few times.

"He was extremely frightened of humans but we began giving him water and a little food.

"He soon learned to trust us and started sleeping outside our tent.

"We fed him on Army rations - he particularly liked beef stew and dumplings."

Tiger's six months in quarantine at kennels in Colchester cost of �2,000, paid for by well-wishers.

And at the weekend he was handed over to new owners in Colchester - Margaret and Paul Wilson.