Nick Allen, 71, thought to be a retired GP, was hiking with his black labrador and golden retriever in the Lake District when he had a seizure and passed out. But his loyal pooches proved they really are man's best friends - and leapt into action. While the retriever lay down beside his owner to protect him, the black lab raced off to get help, barking to alert a nearby hiker. She realised something was wrong and turned back to find Mr Allen on the ground. She then called 999 to raise the alarm.

       A 12-strong Keswick Mountain Rescue team was scrambled to the scene at about 11.30am on Saturday morning and it took around an hour to complete the rescue. Mr Allen regained consciousness and was able to walk down to a waiting ambulance.

       Praising the team on Facebook, his wife Diana, a former teaching assistant from Otley, West Yorks, said: "Thank you so much for rescuing my husband. He is rather special to me."

       But social media users reserved their admiration for the animal rescuers. A reply from one user, Louise Templeton, said: "I don't know you but thank goodness he is okay - and you have amazing dogs."

       A Keswick Mountain Rescue team spokesperson said: "A 71-year-old man was out on his own walking his dogs on Braithwaite How.

       'The black ran after hiker, her "A few minutes after passing another walker he had an apparent seizure, collapsed and then became unconscious.

       See the latest Covid vaccine stats below and visit InYourArea for all the Covid vaccine latest