An animal charity is looking to trace the owner of a dog that jumped the barrier and tried to travel to London on the tube.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier caught the 6:55am underground train from Cockfosters station to central London on December 20.

The brindle and white-coloured animal surprised staff at the station when she walked through the barriers, down the escalators and jumped on a seat on the train.

The RSPCA is now looking after the dog, named Joy, and is calling for its owner to come forward and claim her.

RSPCA inspector Phil Norman said: “She scampered through the station so confidently we think she must be a frequent commuter. People said she looked just as if she was waiting for the train to go.

“She is a bit scruffy and has a skin condition and a cut under her eye.

“Joy is obviously a seasoned traveller because she found her way down to the trains. Perhaps she was just hoping to go into London for some Christmas shopping?”

The charity is calling on anyone who may have any information about Joy’s owner to get in contact.