A picture of canine devotion, a Cocker Spaniel stands loyally by the coffin of his owner, one of the 290 people killed in Italy’s earthquake.

The dog, called Flash, refused to leave the spot, repeatedly pawing at the casket that held the body of his master.

It was yet another touching image to emerge from a natural disaster that has left so much heartache and grief.

Flash’s owner was Andrea Cossu, 45, who was on holiday in the village of Pescara del Tronto when he was killed by a collapsing building.