A JAPANESE television crew will visit York tomorrow to film one of the city's most famous hounds - Ratty.

TV Tokyo is filming for the quirky Japanese show Pochi Tama - which translates as All That Amazing Animals.

The company will be reporting on Ratty, who travels from his home in Dunnington to the Rose & Crown pub, in Lawrence Street - his regular haunt.

Kanako Hiramoto, production co-ordinator, said: "Ratty is an extraordinary dog."

She said she has never encountered a dog who visits a pub after taking a bus on his own.

Wednesday's filming will be led by presenter Kumiko Endo - along with an eight-strong camera crew and translator for the report.

Ratty is not new to the media world - since The Press broke the story he has appeared on GMTV, in national newspapers and on radio.

Gary Kay, the dog's owner, found out about Ratty's adventures two years ago when a bus pulled up and the dog hopped off.

He later discovered the dog was frequenting the Black Bull pub about three times a week, where Mr Kay's tenant worked and fed Ratty sausages.

He said: "I used to pick him up. but some nights he would just appear - people would drop him off.

"He was always back home for tea time."

TV Tokyo will have to be sharp when filming Ratty.

Mr Kay said when GMTV had come to film Ratty, the dog sneaked off and got on the bus as the crew were talking to Mr Kay.

Ratty started visiting the Rose & Crown after the Black Bull became more upmarket - banning animals - and the barmaid who fed him left.

Wednesday's filming will take place on Ratty's normal bus - the number 10 to Hull. However, the hound will also be given a ticket to travel on the First Air Coach, which links York Station and Leeds/Bradford Airport.

A First spokesman said: "The show's London producers got in touch with us last week and asked for our help to film Ratty for their show.

"For an upcoming episode they are making a number of special reports on the UK's most amazing animals and they came across Ratty's story from cuttings in The Press.

"First is more than happy to help out with this project as York will be shown to millions of Japanese TV viewers, which can only be good for tourism in the city as well as the new Aircoach service."