Meet Pumpkin – the little stray dog who one Helston veterinary nurse decided to treat rather than trick just days before Hallowe’en by starting a campaign to fly her more than 2,000 miles back to the UK.

Rachael Malone, a nurse with the Helston branch of Rosemullion Veterinary Practice, found the spaniel crossbreed while on holiday in Zante, Greece, when Pumpkin crossed the road to her and lay down on her feet to go to sleep.

The dog appeared to have gone by the time Rachael had finished dinner in a nearby restaurant, so she returned to her hotel a 20-minute walk away - only for Pumpkin to hunt her out once again.

The stray subsequently found Rachael every day after that, even lying under the same chair Rachael had been sitting at in the restaurant on the days she was not there.

Rachael said: "I've travelled quite a bit and am quite hardened to the stray situation in other countries. This was a bit different though."

Describing Pumpkin as being "in a bad way," with a terrible underbite that is usually genetic, Rachael said it was clear the dog had already had puppies once, which had probably died due to being unable to suckle, and she was concerned that continuing this cycle would shorten Pupmkin's life also.

Rachael paid to have her spayed and has put in £100 of her own money to secure a place for Pumpkin on a flight back to Cornwall to be rehomed, but is now fundraising for the remainder of the £485 cost.

She said: "She is currently at the pound with many other dogs, on concrete, in thunderstorms, frightened and alone now.

"I have arranged her transport to Cornwall in early December, provided I can raise her the £485.

"I am a true believer in supporting our local charities and am a promoter of rescuing dogs from the UK ideally, as we have so many, but this little girl is an exception to my rules!"

Rachael, who runs the puppy training classes at Rosemullion, said she would begin initial training on Pumpkin before placing her with a "forever home" and she hoped to have a shortlist of families to choose from by the time Pumpkin arrives in the Cornwall.

She is unable to keep Pumpkin herself as she already has two rescue dogs and works full time.

"She is looking for a home and is good with children, cats and dogs. Please help - a dog this gentle and social shouldn't have to fight to survive on the streets," added Rachael.

"I think handing her over after a week with her will be one of the hardest things I will ever do. As long as she's happy and has a good quality of life, and a longer one that she would have done, I'm happy."

To help raise the funds a Pumpkin Parade at Penrose has been organised for this Sunday (November 6) starting at 10am.

Those taking part can meet at the Helston entrance to the Penrose Estate for a dog walk. People are asked to wear something orange and all dogs must be on leads.

Any extra money that can be raised Rachael would like to donate to Zante Strays, the rescue team on the island that has helped Pumpkin and other dogs, cats and other creatures in need of care by arranging street feeders, shelters and foster homes.

There are collecting pots in the practice's Helston and Falmouth surgeries or donate online via justgiving.com/crowdfunding/r-malone