A CLEVER canine from Colchester could be named top dog after saving a life during his first week of work.

Kirby, who supports firefighters in Essex as a search and rescue dog, managed to find a survivor in the rubble after a house in Clacton collapsed following a gas explosion.

The popular pooch has made the shortlist to get his paws on the trophy as the Dogs Trust Honours Award’s Hero Dog.

The annual awards ceremony recognises dogs that have performed outstanding acts of bravery, dedication or devotion and Kirby has been selected as a finalist out of hundreds of entries.

All the finalists are featuring in the Daily Mirror.

To register your vote for Kirby visit www.mirror.co.uk The awards will be issued on May 21.

See the full story in Thursday's Gazette.