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

Kirby, who works with 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.

He has now made the shortlist to get his paws on the Hero Dog trophy at the annual Dogs Trust Honours Awards on May 21.

Just four days after he qualified, Kirby was called to the wreckage and in less than a minute found a man buried alive in the rubble. He also rescued a pet hamster who survived the explosion.

Kirby’s handler, Graham Curry, said: “Kirby’s nose is one of the best in the business and he has the ability to save lives.”

Kersley Vythilingum, 30, was living in the top-floor flat of the house in Wellesley Road, Clacton, when it was blown apart by an explosion on April 2. Mr Vythilingum fell from his top-floor flat as the building collapsed and was buried in the debris. He said: “I was still conscious and I tried to shout. I was scared no-one would hear but when I heard the barking, it was a great feeling.” The Daily Mirror will be featuring all the finalists. To vote for Kirby visit www.mirror.co.uk