A DEAF pensioner has been reunited with his best friend - Ben the mongrel - thanks to the sharp eyes of a social services worker.

Robert Walton, 83, of the Hetton area of Sunderland, who is profoundly deaf and has a hearing dog called Ben, was at a loss when his pet went missing.

Mr Walton relied on the five-year-old mongrel to let him know when someone knocked at the door.

Sunderland social services worker Paulo Desinna, who delivers meals to the elderly and housebound, grew concerned when he arrived to deliver Mr Walton's meal and could not hear Ben barking.

About a week later, Paulo was out on his rounds again when - a couple of streets away - he saw a dog he thought he recognised.

The dog was sitting on a driveway with two young boys.

Paulo approached the boys and discovered the dog was not theirs, but had been hanging around because their bitch was in heat.

Because they could not get rid of him, they started feeding the dog and he stayed.

Paulo realised the dog was Ben and took him home to be reunited with his owner.

A Sunderland City Council client services spokesman said: "Because we provide a seven-day service, our staff get to know our customers and the area very well indeed.

"As a result, we are frequently able to help with problems, and we are delighted on this occasion to have helped reunite Mr Walton and Ben."