Four Bury police officers have been praised by their bosses after rescuing a pensioner, suffering with dementia, from woods in Tottington.

During the early hours of Wednesday, officers received a report that a 75-year-old man had gone missing from a nursing home in the village. He had last been seen at 9pm. Officers were increasingly concerned because the man had missed his medication.

The force helicopter was scrambled to try to locate the man from the air and at 4.10am the machine's cameras picked up someone crouching in bushes.

Officers on the ground were directed to the location and it was confirmed that it was the missing pensioner.

The man was cold and, due to his poor health, was not able to move. The ambulance could not get to the location so four officers carried him up a steep hill and over two fields to the helicopter where he was taken to meet paramedics.

He was suffering shock and had minor cuts to his hands. He was taken to Fairfield General Hospital for treatment and has made a full recovery.

One of the officers injured his ankle during the incident but did not require hospital treatment.

Chief Inspector Karan Lee from Bury said: "Through a coordinated search, in difficult terrain, officers on the ground utilised our air support and located the man. They then carried him to safety. In doing so, the officers prevented a potential tragedy. I am very proud of their efforts.