A dog has been honoured with a special award after saving a young deer from drowning and waking his owner after she collapsed.

Seven-year-old Archie rushed into action after spotting the animal screaming in the River Medway.

The Cocker Spaniel lives near Tonbridge in a pack of working dogs with owner Don Hallett, who has been breeding, working and training them for more than 40 years.

Last year, Don’s partner Sue collapsed while walking Archie and two other dogs, due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

Archie immediately began jumping up and down on her chest, which helped bring her round, before she was rushed to hospital and underwent open heart surgery soon after. She’s now on the road to recovery.

In January, Archie was working in Penshurst next to the River Medway, which was flowing fast following days of heavy rain.

Suddenly a young and screaming fallow deer appeared in the river after falling in upstream.

Archie jumped in and swam to the deer, before swimming against the current and dragging it back to the shore, where Don and several others could pull it out and save it from drowning.

Don said: “I’ve owned and worked with dozens of Cocker Spaniels over the past four decades, but Archie has always stood out.

“He’s very laid back, but at the same time he’s always thinking and very alert.

“When Sue collapsed the other two dogs carried on as normal, but Archie knew something was wrong and pounced all over her to bring her round, and she had the bruises to prove it.

“Then when he saw the deer struggling, he instinctively went to its rescue and had the knowledge and ability to drag it back to dry land without injuring it, which was a very difficult thing to do.”

She added: “Unfortunately he’s also had his fair share of heartache.

“Being working dogs, they live in kennels and he shared his with best friend Poppy, who sadly died of a brain tumour recently.

“Before we knew she was ill, his behaviour changed and he was always sniffing her head.

“After she died, he was very upset and it took him a while to get over it. Thankfully he’s now back to his affectionate, intelligent and special self.”

As a result of his heroics, Archie has been honoured with a special pet CBE, awarded by Kent veterinary group Pennard Vets.

Each practice across the county voted for the winning entry – including Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone, Allington, Borough Green, Langley Park and West Malling.