COLWYN BAY and Old Colwyn are among the top places in North Wales for XL Bully ownership according to new data.

The LL29 postcode is 285th in the UK with 52 successful applications for XL Bully exemption certificates - which allow owners to keep the banned breed subject to conditions.

Across North Wales only Rhyl has more XL Bullies, with 64 permissions being granted there, placing it 179th in the UK.

In February this year, owning the XL Bully breed of dog became a criminal offence in England and Wales, unless you have an exemption certificate.

Anyone who owns one of the dogs needs to have had the animal neutered and microchipped. They must also be kept muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.

The ban was introduced by the Government after a spate of dog attacks involving the breed. In some cases, the victims died as a result of the attacks.

The ban was enforced in an attempt to prevent further incidents involving XL Bullies.

But, despite their 'bad reputation', many owners still see the good in the banned breed and still keep them as pets.

The figures come from The Spectator, which submitted a freedom of information request to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, to find out where the 50,000 registered XL Bully dogs in the UK live. 

While the LL29 postcode is a hot-spot for XL Bully ownership, neighbouring LL28, which covers part of Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea, has had less than 10. 

The data shows that the highest numbers in the country for XL Bully ownership is in Croydon, where there are 219 XL Bullies in the CR0 postcode region.

The second highest figure is the S5 postcode area just north of Sheffield, where there are 189 of these dogs, followed closely by an area of Warrington with 182 Bullies.