Dogs with spinal cord injuries have been treated with human stem cells, it has emerged.

The innovative procedure saw scientists from Konkuk University in Korea and biotechnology firm Histostem teaming up to transplant the microscopic material from one species to another.

Stem cells were taken from human umbilical cords and moved to the spinal region of pooches who had suffered central nervous system damage.

Rats are often used for this kind of procedure, but the researchers chose canines for this study as the creatures' backbones are more similar to peoples' than smaller mammals'.

Following the transplantation of the material, dogs with injuries to their spinal cords were able to move their hind legs.

Hoon Han, president of the biotechnology company, explained that the findings are likely to have a significant impact on the prognosis of humans with central nervous damage, while pets may also benefit.

He said: "We are optimistic that this technique has many potential applications in the treatment of human spinal cord injury through stem cell transplantation."

In other news, moggie Missy from Guildford has become one of the first felines in the world to get an artificial knee.