A PENSIONER died after trying to save his dog from drowning at a popular beauty spot.

The man, who is believed to be in his 70s but who has not been named by Gwent Police, dived into the Pen-y-Fan Pond near Oakdale shortly before 11am yesterday after seeing one of his two dogs struggling in the water.

The man and his dog drowned in the middle of pond as people watched in horror.

His body was recovered by a boat crew from the South Wales Fire Service and taken to the mortuary at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.

His next-of-kin was informed of the tragedy along with the Gwent coroner. Scenes of crime officers spent an hour at the spot but the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Chief Superintendent Howard Rees, of Gwent Police, said: "Unfortunately the man got into difficulty and drowned while trying to save his dog.

"We have a number of witnesses that saw him struggling but he was struggling in the middle of the pond so it was impossible for members of the public to assist him."

Inspector Chris Hocking-Brown, of Blackwood police, station said: "We are not treating this incident suspiciously - it is just a very tragic accident." He added: "The public need to be