AN elated grandad was given the 'best birthday present ever' after reuniting with his beloved dog Bobby who was swept into the river for six days.

Simon Kitchen drove up to Cumbria from his home in Preston to take his four-year-old American bull dog Bobby for a stroll.

The 51-year-old ex-soldier had arrived at Dent Fault near the village of Dent when - to his owner's horror - the pooch took off down a steep hill.

"I started going after him and actually slipped myself chasing him," the grandad-of-one said.

"I stopped and looked down and just saw a fast-flowing stream and rapids. It's so dangerous even mountain rescue teams can't get down there."

Adventure-seeking Bobby had in fact sprinted into the River Clough, leaving Mr Kitchen 'helpless' and 'distraught'.

"I went down every day doing a 100 mile round trip from Preston looking for him," he said.

"I was absolutely distraught when it happened. I left toys up there and one of my t-shirts and went every day to see if he'd turned up."

Nearly a week later, Mr Kitchen was 'thinking the worst' until an unexpected phone call from Farmgate Veterinary Surgery in Sedbergh delivered the long-awaited news he had been hoping for.

"I got a phone call from the vets in Sedbergh and they said 'Simon we've got Bobby'," he said.

"I was in bits - I couldn't laugh or cry, I just got dressed, got my keys and drove up there."

The pair have been inseparable since Bobby was brought home at five weeks, Mr Kitchen said, battling through some of their hardest times together.

The dad-of-two said: "We've been through the mill together. We went through the Covid pandemic and were homeless together after I escaped domestic violence. We've had it rough but we've always been there for each other.

"He always knows when I'm upset. So for him to go missing was just horrendous.

"I didn't want to be here. I wanted to give everything up to be with him. I received some great support from the vets who have been amazing.

"It's been a really hard time. I didn't know one day from the next, so to be the told the news he was alive and well was just unbelievable."

After news that Bobby had been found safe and sound, Mr Kitchen rushed to Farmgate Veterinary Surgery on his birthday to reunite with his best friend after six long days.

"He knocked me to the floor when he saw me," Mr Kitchen said.

"He was licking and jumping all over me. It was amazing. He's lucky to be alive.

"We don't know how he survived but it's a miracle he did. It's the best birthday present I could have ever asked for."

Mr Kitchen was told that resident Nick Fecitt waded through the river at Dowbiggin to retrieve the lost pooch who had travelled over a mile and a half in the water.

He said: "I can't thank him enough. I'm travelling back to Sedbergh in a few weeks and hopefully I can meet him and thank him in person.

"Everyone in Sedbergh has been so supportive and out looking for Bobby. It's amazing."