The creators of an animated film are hoping to set tongues and tails wagging by immortalising a dog detective who helped save the World Cup.

The star of the show, a pooch named Pickles, is based on a South Norwood hound of the same name who found the 1962 World Cup hidden under a bush after it was stolen from an exhibition.

The £30,000 trophy, stolen in March 1966 from the Sport with Stamps display, was found a week later by the keen-nosed mongrel as he was being walked by his owner David Corbett in Beulah Hill.

Pickles, who went on star in a film himself the Spy With a Cold Nose died in 1973 after he choked on his lead after chasing a cat up a tree.

Mr Corbett, who received several thousand pounds in reward money, moved away from London and is now believed to live in Yorkshire.

The film, called Pickles, will be screened on ITV next year to coincide with the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

A spokesman for ITV said: "Pickles is the ultimate shaggy dog' story, a heart-warming and hilarious tale of one scruffy, loveable canine's bid to save the World Cup.

"When the prestigious prize is stolen by crooks on the eve of the 1996 World Cup final, an 11-year-old East End tomboy called Sammy has a to find the cup and make her own mark in the beautiful game."

Helped by her faithful mutt Pickles, the film will follow Sammy as she turns detective.