Glynn Purnell and his dog Whoops (© South West News Service)

TOP chef Glynn Purnell has revealed how his plucky pooch Whoops sent burglars packing during a late-night raid on his home.

The Michelin-starred chef, his partner Kerry and their three young children were asleep when hammer-wielding thugs smashed their way into the rural property.
But the burglars got more than they bargained for when Whoops the wonder dog, a seven-year-old Jack Russell, sprang to the family’s defence.

The panicking intruders fled with their tails between their legs after grabbing a couple of toddlers’ bags – which contained nothing but nappies and dummies.

In fact, they may have had a lucky escape – burly Purnell, aged 37, is a keen martial arts enthusiast with a love of kickboxing and aikido.

Purnell told the Mail: “Having kids, it is just frightening to think what might have happened. I keep asking myself what I would have done if I had come down and seen the burglars? I would love to have caught them and shown them some of my fighting skills, but Whoops stole my thunder.

“It just goes to show that whatever security you have got, nothing is as effective as a small dog.”

Purnell rewarded his feisty terrier with a slap-up home-cooked dinner of slow-roast pork, with a spring onion risotto and green beans.