THE search is on to find pets in Halton who have achieved something extraordinary and deserve a medal.

The Blue Cross Medal celebrates all hero pets, from amazing assistance or therapy pets to animals in the services and military, or simply a life-changing companion.

If you own or know of a pet that has done something amazing to change or even save a life, Blue Cross pet charity wants to hear from you.

Mandy Jones, head of rehoming services at Blue Cross, was a judge for last year’s medal.

She said: “Blue Cross has been caring for pets for over a 100 years and we are still amazed every day by the heart-warming stories we hear about them.

“It’s lovely to be able to recognise these wonderful pets with our medal.

“We had so many fantastic entries last year, if we could have given a medal to all of them, we would.”

Last year’s Blue Cross Medal winner was medical detection dog Daisy, a labrador retriever, who has saved hundreds of lives, including her owner’s, by detecting cases of cancer.

Other outstanding entries included a heroic cat who saved her owner’s life by waking her up when she was having a heart attack in her sleep and a dog whose companionship helped her young autistic owner gain confidence and cope with the social situations she found so difficult.

The Blue Cross Medal was reinstated last year to mark the centenary of the First World War.

Sick, injured and homeless pets have relied on Blue Cross since 1897 and the charity played an important role providing front line veterinary care to horses during World War One. In 1918, Blue Cross awarded a number of medals to honour horses which had served in the war.

The Blue Cross Medal is open to pets that have done something brave, life changing partnerships, assistance animals or serving or working animals. Deadline for entries is October 1.

To nominate a pet and find out more, visit bluecross.org.uk/medal.