Long-standing EastEnders dog Wellard is to be killed off from the soap after 14 years.

Wellard, played by a bitch called Kyte, turned up on Albert Square in 1994 when Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney) found him as a stray and saved him from his neglectful owner.

When Robbie left for India in 2003, ownership passed to Gus Smith (Mo George) who took care of him until this year. In that time, Wellard was detained by police after biting Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and later kidnapped by Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick).

Last month, Mickey Miller (Joe Swash) gave the Square's resident canine a home when Gus left Walford for a life on the road with girlfriend Keisha.

The Millers, however, were not keen on Wellard residing in their home and forced Mickey to get rid of him. Mickey sold him to Vinnie Monks (Bobby Davro) who bought him as a present for girlfriend Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), but she soon became fed up with the idea of having a dog after only one day.

Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) subsequently convinced Vinnie to hand over Wellard in order that her proud sister Tiffany Dean (Maisie Smith) could look after him.

A source told The Sun: "Wellard has been played by three different dogs from the family - Kyte , her mum and grandma. But now it's time for the character to bow out gracefully."

Canine companions on the Square are now dwindling in number. The Millers' dog Genghis departs next week with owner Keith Miller (David Spinx), while Terrence remains with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and Albert's owner is still Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons).