A TALENT show finalist has been awarded thousands of pounds after her dogs were savagely attacked in a park.

Kate Nicholas wowed millions of viewers as she and her collie Gin danced their way to the finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2008.

Ms Nicholas was the victim of a vicious attack last year while walking her three pooches in the field by Great Wood, Waberthwaite, a court heard.

The dog-lover was with her three canines, Dash, Ice and Zoom on Monday April 5 when she encountered Stephen Cummings.

Cummings, of Smithy Wood Farm in Waberthwaite, was with his four lurchers - Boss, Fury, Chaos and Caeser - when they began attacking Ms Nicholas' canines, South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard.

The 37-year-old hit his dogs with a shovel, the court heard, but they continued their attack.

Prosecutors said when Ms Nicholas tried to intervene, she was bitten and threw her dog Zoom over a fence for safety.

Ms Nicholas received puncture wounds to the right knee, right hand, left arm and leg which required paper stitches, it was said.

Her dog Dash was rushed to the vets after sustaining multiple horrific injuries and was on life support for two days before undergoing surgery.

It is unknown what the lasting effect of the injuries will be.

Ice had four major wounds including chunks bitten from her armpit and front paws area.

She was also taken to the vets and was operated on but it is unknown the long-term prognosis as she is currently struggling to use her front left leg.

Zoom suffered three wounds on her legs - two of which had to be stitched at the vets.

Cummings pleaded guilty to four dangerous dog offences when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Cummings denied charges of owning dogs dangerously out of control which caused injury to Ms Nicholas and her three dogs. Those charged were dismissed and no evidence was offered by prosecutors, court document said.

The court issued destruction orders for Boss, Fury and Caeser.

Cummings claimed the pets had already been destroyed, however no evidence was presented to the court so three destruction orders were put in place.

The court ordered that Chaos is kept under proper control and a lead and muzzle must be worn in public places at all times.

The court warned that if any other incidents take place, Chaos will also ordered to be destroyed.

Cummings has been fined £1,150, ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £115.

He has also been told to pay £3969.74 in compensation.

Kate and Gin appeared on the second series of the TV variety show, eventually losing out to street dancer George Sampson.

Five years later, the television star went on to join the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, embarking on a tour in Afghanistan as part of the 1st Military Working Dogs Regiment.