A PAIR of rescue dogs at the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue HQ have been given a top award for their outstanding work.

The yellow Labradors Echo, 15, and Cracker, 13, were awarded the Order of Merit medals by vet charity PDSA for their work in helping save lives

Yesterday, Echo received his award, and in October it will be the turn of Cracker.

The dog’s handler Mike Dewar, of Kearsley, described Echo’s actions in helping the service over most of his life, before retiring four years ago, which included the aftermath of the earthquake which devastated the island of Haiti in 2010.

Mike said: “Echo has been involved in searching buildings after gas explosions, industrial incidents and earthquakes abroad. Echo and the team the won the Pride of Britain Award, so it’s not the first award he has actually won.”

He added: “I can honestly say that Haiti was hell on earth. The city’s infrastructure had been decimated. There were no hospitals – survivors were relying solely on aid from outside the country.

“For Echo, the smell of death surrounded him. As a puppy, he was taught to search for the living, but as the situation was so bleak and desperate, his searches for survivors were fruitless.

“Echo got his medal for conducting over 50 searches during the fortnight-long search in Haiti for possible survivors.

" one instance we searched an old church to check if anyone was missing and the search teams had been back several times and firefighters were putting themselves at considerable risk going into the ruined building, but Echo very quickly let us know there was no one in there, and in that respect no firefighter had to risk themselves any more to search that building.”

John Faulkner, principal vet at the PDSA said: “Both Echo and Cracker have displayed incredible skill in their respective roles.

"Their stories are a true inspiration and we are all thrilled that they will be receiving the PDSA Order of Merit – known as the animal equivalent of the OBE.”

He added: “Echo is a special dog and he has seen more in his life than most dogs would. The bond between Mike and Echo is also really very special.”