Hundreds of people have helped save Hamilton’s bacon.

This week, mum-of-two Kelly Coombs, who lives off Tillingham Road, Southminster, successfully found a new home for her pet pig after warning that he could face the chop.

Mrs Coombs, 41, has had the three-year-old Tamworth and wild boar crossbreed since May last year but his over-friendly nature means he has become a health-and-safety risk to her two young children, Charlie and Toby, aged five and eight.

After a widespread ‘Save Hamilton’ campaign on Facebook, which has been supported by 390 people, an animal sanctuary in Dorset has agreed to take him in.

With the help of volunteers on social media, Mrs Coombs even had offers from sanctuaries in Aberdeen and Rochdale.

See this week's Standard, out tomorrow, for the full story.