BOLTON Wanderers legend Tommy Banks has thanked emergency services who rescued him after he fell walking his dog.

The 86-year-old became stranded for more than five hours in freezing conditions in Blackleach Country Park.

He had been walking his Welsh border collie Susie when he slipped and fell, then became trapped in wet bogland.

The former Whites star was saved thanks to a local bobby who knew the layout of the park — as well as his 10-year-old dog, who helped alert emergency services to her owner's whereabouts.

Mr Banks told The Bolton News: "My dog walked into the wooded area and I just followed along.

"I slipped down this ridge and lost control. It was an accident.

"It was cold and wet and about 20 yards away I saw a little tree.

"I thought if I could crawl to that tree and grab the branches I could pull myself up.

"But by 6.30pm I was nowhere near the tree.

"All the grass was wet through and there was standing water full of bracken and it started to get dark.

"I couldn't get to my knees. I was freezing and I couldn't get hold of the branches.

"I gave up physically — but I never lost my confidence I would be found."

The former left full back, who made more than 250 appearances for the Whites and was a member of England's 1958 World Cup squad, was reported missing when he failed to return home to wife Rita.

He had left home at 11.45am last Friday to do run some errands before going to the park.

Mrs Banks telephoned family, friends, neighbours and the police at about 3pm.

Volunteers and professionals flocked to the park to search for the missing former footballer.

PCSO Derek Thomas, who knows Mr Banks from his Farnworth beat and knows the layout of the Walkden park, heard of the disappearance over his police radio and convinced his superiors to let him join the search.

Susie was running between Mr Banks and the path, barking, and the PCSO heard the noise and shone his torch in Mr Banks' direction.

Mr Banks, who lives in Farnworth, saw the flashlight and called out for help.

It then took an hour and a half to plan and complete his rescue by stretcher, which was carried out by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, police officers and paramedics.

Mr Banks was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with hypothermia at 7.50pm.

The FA Cup winner was wearing proper walking clothes and shoes and three fleeces however temperatures dropped as low as 3C.

He was kept in hospital overnight but is now back home recovering.

He said that besides his aching limbs and scratches on his hands and nose from tree branches, he has no lasting injuries.

He added: "They were wonderful, these young fellows and women.

"And medical staff were marvellous as I got to hospital."

Mrs Banks said: "He's always out walking the dog for about two hours so after three hours I thought he should be coming home and where was he?

"After five hours I was frantic. All our friends said 'give him a hug and then give him a good hiding' and 'keep him on a long leash'.

"He's very strong in mind. But this is testament to how physically fit he is.

"Susie has been a great dog for him because walking her has kept him active.

"It's been an ordeal for her as well as she was in the cold and wet.

"We're giving her a little extra love."

Garry Rhodes, of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, said: "On scene we had been thanked for our attendance and role in this search and rescue by the man's family, including his two sons and his neighbours who had themselves all rallied round to search for him.

"Family and neighbours then revealed that we had rescued a former and quite famous Bolton Wanderers and England football player."

The couple have now made a donation to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team to thank them for their help.

Mr Banks lost a car key, a garage key and a dog lead during his ordeal and returned to the park just days later to try to recover them with his wife's nephew.

He also now has a safety whistle which he can take out when walking his dog.