A HEROIC Lake District search dog helped find a missing man on his first mission back following a long recovery from injury.

Eight-year-old Border Collie Bracken, whose sense of smell is highly valued by the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dog team, was forced to sit out operations for seven months after damaging his leg while training.

But on his return he was able to locate a missing 79-year-old man suffering from diabetes, who had got lost while out on a walk in the west of the county.

The team was involved in an extensive two-day search for the man, combing footpaths, waterways and fields. It was Bracken that eventually found the pensioner, who was suffering from hypothermia, in a field.

Elly Whiteford, Bracken's trainer, said to leave him while going out on a call was always hard and she was glad that he was now back in action.

“I am very proud of Bracken," she said. "It’s lovely to have him out with me on the hills now.”

Elly, 44, who works at the Environment Agency, is a member of the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and has been involved with mountain rescue volunteering since 2004.

“A lot of dedication and time goes into volunteering with a rescue team," said Elly. "When you work with a dog, you form an amazing relationship. Often it’s just the two of you out there and you look after each other.”

Elly enjoys working with the Lake District teams where volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

"It's a really addictive way of life," she said. "I love the outdoors and working with dogs, you get to work as a part of a great team and to help people."