David and Mark Turner (22) pleading guilty at Chesterfield Magistrates Court to causing unnecessary suffering to their pet dogs – a Saluki-type dog named Cleo and a black greyhound called Pepper.

The emaciated dogs were removed from their care in June 2007 and, according to a vet statement, had been caused to suffer from starvation for at least six weeks.

Both dogs lived at David's address on Oakamoor Close, Holme Hall, where Mark, of Brockwell Lane, Loundsley Green, visited to walk and feed them.

David Turner had been advised in January that he needed to improve Cleo and Pepper's living conditions and provide more food. He admitted that he could not cope with the care of the dogs.

RSPCA inspector Dave McAdam said: "These dogs were kept in dirty conditions and were left without food or exercise for often long periods of time.

"Pet owners need to make sure that, if they cannot care for their animals, they seek help from the RSPCA or another animal welfare organisation.

"This sentence should serve to show that leaving animals to suffer will simply not be tolerated."

Both dogs, who have now been re-homed, increased their body weight by a third after six weeks in the care of the RSPCA.

Pepper added 6.4kg to her fragile 18kg frame and Cleo went up to 20.8kg from her original weight of 15.6kg.

David and Mark Turner were given 200 hours and 140 hours of community service respectively.

Each twin was ordered to pay £384.02 in costs.