A SUPERHERO hound came to the rescue of a sick dog who was in desperate need of a blood transfusion.

Trailhound Vinnie answered the call of help from his vet Jon Slattery at Best Friends Veterinary Surgery, in Worcester Road, Malvern Link.

Mr Slattery had a very ill patient in dire need of a blood transfusion to save her life and called upon Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter to ask for help.

He knew Vinnie was in excellent health and fulfilled donor criteria to be able to urgently donate blood to help his fellow dog.

Liz Hallam, trustee and voluntary fundraising manager, said: "WARS was only too pleased to volunteer Vinnie to be a doggy donor to help another dog in need.

"We all like a happy ending and that is exactly what happened.

"Cleo recovered quickly since the transfusion and is now safe at home.

"Cleo and her owner are very relieved and happy that everything turned out so well.

"Brave Vinnie will always be a blood brother to his new friend Cleo."

Dogs have many different blood types though they do not have the human ABO group on their red cells.

For his endeavours, Vinnie was given an extra treat and extra special hugs for being a great lifesaver.

Cleo and Vinnie had the chance to meet up at the veterinary surgery to say hello and get to know each other a little bit more.

Anyone who would like to donate to Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter or organise an event their behalf should visit wars.org.uk.

Donations can be made via text WARS42 to 70070 or via www.justgiving.com/wars.

Please contact Liz Hallam for any fundraising ideas on fundraising@wars.org.uk.