A SOLDIER dog who saved dozens of troop lives sniffing out bombs in Afghanistan is the toast of Macclesfield after scooping a national award.

Former Tytherington man, Corporal David Heyhoe, is bursting with pride after seeing loyal canine companion Treo – a veteran of several tours of duty with him – voted finest Armed Forces animal at a glitzy prize-giving ceremony by the Sun newspaper last week.

The seven-year-old black labrador is a former rebel dog in danger of being put down during his errant youth, only to find redemption in the Army.

And David, 39, who has lived in Tytherington and Rainow, is an armed explosive search dog handler who has just jetted back from six months in Afghanistan with the gutsy canine.

"He’s my mate, my canine best friend, and I’m his dad!" said David, whose parents still live in Rainow.

"Our presence in Afghanistan could have been a lot worse if Treo wasn’t there. He was out there sniffing around for bombs every day. He has definitely saved lives."

Further praise came from the Prime Minister and Prince Charles.

"I was called to 10 Downing Street and Gordon Brown told me it was amazing what Treo does, and Prince Charles told me how naughty Camilla’s dogs were and asked me if I could train them!" recalls David.

An Army veteran in his 22nd year of service, he left the ‘Millies’ awards ceremony in London – attended by everyone from England football captain John Terry to Strictly Come Dancing’s Rachel Stevens – hand-in-paw with Treo, relishing the memories of an "unforgettable evening".

"There’s an immense amount of pride in so many people nominating my dog for the Millies award," he said.

"Pub landlord Al Murray presented our award and he was fantastic! One of his lines was ‘yes we have the marines, yes we have the Army, but there’s nothing quite like a dog’."

Bob Heyhoe, David’s dad, said: "Between them they must have saved so many lives, they have become great friends."

David now lives in Lincolnshire with wife Tarnia.