THREE months ago, a tearful Dave Sampford stood distraught on a Gwent mountainside as rescue workers called off a search for his 18-year-old dog Sproggett.

The deaf and blind Jack Russell and Springer Spaniel cross became trapped six metres below the surface during one of his daily walks on the British mountain, Pontypool, after entering a deep, winding crevice left by the area's coal mining legacy.

A ten-man rescue team, including six miners from the nearby Black Barn Colliery in Crumlin, toiled day and night in the attempt to locate the whimpering dog and haul him to safety.

On the morning of October 12, Sproggett's faint cries turned to silence and the rescue attempt came to a tragic end.

But today, Mr Sampford, 30, is starting to put the memories of those dramatic two days behind him as he welcomes a new companion to the family.

Six-month-old Jack Russell Alfie is now settling into the family home on Snatchwood Road, Pontypool, and helping Mr Sampford come to terms with his loss.

"Alfie is a great little dog even if we are having a few problems training him.

"I think about Sprog every day to be honest and the fact that he's still up there. I'll never forget the shock and the horror of losing him.

"He will never be replaced but we have always had dogs in the family," he said.

Mr Sampford said he had not returned to his old walking site on the British since the day he got in his car and drove home following the failed rescue attempt. adding: "It's too difficult knowing he is still up there."

Mr Sampford said: "Alfie is a typical lively Jack Russell. Sproggett was a lot more laid back but he was a cross with a Springer Spaniel and he was 18-years-old."

Mr Sampford, who lives with parents Peter, 65, and Kathleen, 61, runs an online recruitment company from his home.