Fashion designer Alexander McQueen has left £100,000 in his will to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Staff at the home said they were honoured that the iconic designer - a devoted animal lover - chose to support the charity throughout his lifetime and beyond.

McQueen, 40, who was found dead in his London flat last year, gave four charities £100,000 in his £16m will - the others being The Blue Cross animal welfare charity, the London Buddhist Centre and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Spencer Wisdom, Solicitor and Legacy Manager at Battersea said: "We know that Alexander McQueen held Battersea close to his heart during his lifetime after rehoming a mongrel from the home.

"News of such a generous legacy is a lovely surprise and reaffirms the love McQueen held for dogs and cats. We know he would be so proud to see his donation helping care for the thousands of dogs and cats at Battersea in need of a new home."

Londoner McQueen adopted a 6 to 12-month-old mongrel, who he later renamed Minta, from Battersea in 1995.

In 2010, 70 per cent (£8.5m) of the home’s income came from legacies.

McQueen also reportedly left £50,000 so his pet dogs can be pampered for the rest of their lives.

To learn how you can leave a legacy to the home visit battersea.org.uk.