DISASTER loomed when Bertie the bulldog’s personalised bandana failed to arrive in the post just days before he was due to perform in a musical.

But the prized pet and his owner Diane Pickett were saved when a former Peacehaven resident saw their plea for help and made a new one for him.

Diane, 48, of Carden Avenue, Brighton, said: “The mum of one of my son’s friends, who moved to the New Forest a few months ago but used to live in the Brighton area, saw my posts on social media.

“I said I was absolutely devastated and she was straight on it.

“She messaged me and said, ‘don’t worry, I’ll sort this out for you’.

“She sent me some designs and I chose pink because it’s for Legally Blonde, then she made it overnight and even posted it with a little bone for Bertie.”

The replacement was made by Sarah Jane who works at Ellie’s Attic, a clothing personalisation company in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Diane said: “I think it looks really good and it arrived in time for the second show on Thursday.

“He was able to wear it to meet people in the foyer and on stage, and he got a great reception from the crowd.”

Seven-year-old Bertie has played the role of Rufus in Legally Blonde the musical on five separate occasions, including a run of shows at the Theatre Royal in Brighton last year.

This year, he is performing with the Sussex Musical Theatre Society, made up of students from the University of Sussex, at the Attenborough Centre at the university, with the last two shows taking place today.

Diane works at the Northfield flats university halls as a housekeeper and knows many of the cast.

She said: “The students in the production absolutely adore Bertie, a lot of them miss their own dogs at home.

“He loves the attention as well and his tail starts thumping.

“He was treated really well, with his own dressing room and a sofa.”

Diane said the musical has played to sold-out crowds each night. She said: “The show has been amazing and the students are stars in my eyes. They have been rehearsing for six months and have done an incredible job putting the show together.”