HECTOR the collie went from zero to hero when his acute senses helped find a missing elderly man.

He was in the doghouse after stealing a fruit cake at home, but all was forgiven after he potentially saved the vulnerable man’s life.

Tanya and Darren Herbison were pretty cross with Hector, who belongs to their daughter Ella, when they took him for a walk near their home in Aylands Road, Taunton, on Saturday evening.

“We walked past an overgrown area full of stinging nettles in Comeytrowe Lane and he started barking really persistently,” said Tanya.

“Darren and I carried on walking, but we went back when Hector continued barking and saw what looked like a piece of old carpet.

“We had a closer look and realised it was an old man lying asleep in the nettles.

“He came round, but was confused and didn’t know how he’d got there. He seemed OK, although he had a few cuts.

“We called the paramedics, who treated him before sending him to Musgrove Park Hospital for a check up.

“Hector is really observant – if he sees a plastic bag in the street that wasn’t there the day before he’ll start barking at it.

“We were a bit happier with him afterwards because something dreadful could have happened to the man if it hadn’t been for Hector.”

An Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman said officers were searching for an 82-year-old man with dementia following reports of concerns for his welfare at 8.10pm on Saturday, while the force helicopter was also scrambled.

She added that he was located “safe and well” at around 9pm.