ONE man and his dog from Tenbury Wells have overcome adversity to triumph at the world's top dog show.

Richard Mace, from Rochford, and his canine companion Hail took a top honour at Crufts despite an injury to the four-year-old golden retriever in a head-on collision - and a separate accident in which Richard sustained 25% burns.

It was the second year running that the retriever, better known in the dog world as "Purbarn Hail in the Storm", had won the event's Best Gamekeeper Dog in Show class and proud Richard believes the credit should rest with him.

"When he was about 14 months old, a car hit us head-on and chipped a bone in his shoulder," Richard said.

"We thought his showing and working career was over but he fought back."

Brave Richard also thought his own showing days were over after an horrific accident left him in Selly Oak Hospital for 15 days having skin grafts.

"A gas heater blew up in a shed I was in.

"I ended up having a free face lift but I cannot say it was without any pain," he joked.

"I thought my own career was over but fortunately I was back in work within five or six weeks."

Despite his own problems Richard believes the credit should rest firmly with the retriever with the Midas touch.

"It's the third time the dog has won this trophy. He first took it in 2003. To do it once was something and to win twice in a row is an amazing feat," he said.

Hail's half-brother Rain and cocker spaniel Bandit also won classes after being shown by Richard's wife Jenny.