A DEVOTED dog is lapping up the attention after being credited with saving his teenage owner's life.

The Alsatian, named Tyson, guarded his owner for five hours in the freezing cold after he was beaten unconscious by attackers.

Doctors have hailed 16 year-old Robert Bainbridge's pet a hero, saying the teenager would probably not have survived on his own.

They said that heat from Tyson's body as he lay close to his young master may have saved his life.

Police search helicopters were called after Robert's parents Jeffrey and Alison Sheers, of Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside, reported their son missing.

Robert, an apprentice heating engineer, had been walking home after a night out when he was attacked by five youths and knocked unconscious.

He was found lying in Hetton Park at 3.35am, five hours after the beating, after Tyson heard Mr Sheers' call to his son.

Mr Sheers, 38, a farm manager, said: "I was driving around the area just shouting Robert's name when Tyson came running in front of the car barking.

"He led me to where Robert was lying. He was unconscious and frozen through. He's just an incredible dog and definitely saved Robert's life."

Robert was taken to Sunderland General Hospital suffering from cuts and bruises and exposure to the cold.

Mr Sheers said: "Tyson is certainly a hero to our family. All our children - Kaye, Chantelle and Robert - think the world of him.

"He's always been a much loved member of the family, and we're just so proud of what he did for Robert."