A CHESHIRE-based search and rescue dog who helped save lives across the world has died aged 15.

Bryn the border collie died at the weekend following an 11-year career with his handler Steve Buckley.

Steve, who is now a retired firefighter, successfully appealed for Cheshire to have a search and rescue dog after seeing them in action during the Gujarat earthquake in India in 2001.

Bryn was donated from a litter of puppies and started training to rescue living people from disaster areas when he was just 12 months old.

Warrington Guardian:

In 2005 Bryn was ready to go out on search and rescue missions with the teams and throughout his career was deployed to India, Sumatra, Japan and Nepal.

Bryn was injured when he was in Japan, cutting his paw, despite wearing special protection boots, as he was searching through the tsunami debris.

Although there was no vet with the team, they were able to super-glue and bandage Bryn’s leg so he could continue to work, making headlines across the world.

Retiring from active service in 2015, Bryn was awarded the PDSA Order of Merit, the animal equivalent of the OBE, in 2017 for his outstanding devotion to duty.

Warrington Guardian:

Chief fire officer, Mark Cashin, said: "Bryn was a valued member of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for 11 years.

"He was renowned throughout the search and rescue world for his dedication and devotion to duty and to Steve.

"They had a unique bond and our thoughts go out to Steve and his family who I know are devastated by the loss of Bryn."

Bryn and Steve were widely recognised as one of the best dog and handler teams in the country.

Warrington Guardian:

Throughout their active careers they were also deployed across the UK, assisting with searches at building collapses, gas explosions and missing persons’ cases.