DAVID NEWMAN knew exactly what he had to do when his best friend went missing for 24 hours.

The teenager went out looking for his white and tan dog, - then sprang into action to rescue Star after he found her trapped 15ft down a manhole in Cwmbran.

David rescued his pet with help from Cwmbran fire station commander Jeff Scrivens.

Mr Scrivens said: "Star was very happy to see us. She was very excitable and wasn't injured at all."

David's proud mum, Janice, of Pentre Close, Coed Eva, told the Argus a neighbour had taken cross-breed Star for a walk last Tuesday night.

She said: "Star went down to a nearby brook and, for some reason, decided to jump out the opposite side."

Star ran off, despite calls from the neighbour.

After a half hour search the neighbour returned to Janice and David, who has learning difficulties, empty-handed.

"He felt awful," Janice said.

David, who studies extended learning at Pontypool college, went out with Janice and searched for Star.

The 57-year-old housewife and full-time carer, said: "We were a bit stressed really. Star is a big softie and scared of the dark and the cold." But the pair could not find the dog.

Janice said: "We came back from looking for her and David was worried. His dog is his best friend."

By 4pm the next day Star still had not come home. After college, David immediately went looking for her.

Carrying his pet's lead, harness and a mobile phone to call his mum with news, David headed for the brook.

"He found her almost straight away," Janice said.

Star had fallen 15ft down a manhole. Janice said: "David could hear her crying."

But he needed help to rescue his beloved dog and called the fire brigade. Jeff Scrivens arrived and helped David haul Star from the ground.

Janice said: "He was marvellous. He really gave David the confidence he needed to help Star. With his help, David went down the hole and got her out."

Janice said Star thought it had been a big adventure.

She said: "She was full of licks. She had a really big drink in the brook and we took her home."