LEGENDARY mountain rescue dog and renowned television pet Dru has died.

Dru, the border collie owned by a Huddersfield man, passed away, aged 13.

But his successor, Bryn, has already assumed the mantle of Super Lifesaver.

Dru, the super search dog who belonged to Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team dog handler Steve Ward, went on over 300 searches including life-saving rescues.

His daring rescues brought the courageous collie brief spells of fame. As well as appearances on Look North and Pet Rescue, Dru stood alongside Esther Rantzen and even snubbed Gaby Roslin's offer of a chewy bone!

In 1999, the plucky pooch helped locate a father and son Timothy Brett and his ten-year-old son, Tom. The pair had been caught overnight in a blizzard above the Snake Pass. For his courage, Dru and owner Steve were reunited with Timothy and Tom on BBC1's millenium celebrations.

Steve, who represents the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (Sarda), said: "They could have definitely died. They had hypothermia and they couldn't walk.

"More than once, Dru laid his life on the line to save human life. He was as brave as anything. He was a hero. He was a great ambassador for Sarda and a lovely dog. Dru once picked up a scent from one kilometre away."

Mr Ward, who owns Blackburn's outdoor activities store in Moldgreen said: "He was a character. He was in the shop all the time. He was great with kids. It's like losing a friend. Even now people are asking: 'Where's Dru?'

"There are times where you're up on the moors and it's just you and the dog and your hair stands on end. You have a special relationship with a dog."

Dru's successor is the equally audacious and astute Bryn - a five-year-old border collie who has been on over 70 searches.

Father-of-two Steve, 51, from Shelley, added: "The test for rescue dogs is hard and Bryn is an excellent successor. I'm getting older and I can't keep up with him!"