A Saddleworth police officer and his search dog have won a BBC Radio Manchester Make a Difference Award for coming to the aid of a cyclist who became lost and disorientated on the moors.

PC Richard Beswick and Ace, a border collie, received one of eight awards given out at a ceremony at Leigh Sports Village on Thursday, September 24. Both volunteer with Greenfield-based Oldham Mountain Rescue Team.

The pair were honoured for coming to the aid of a cyclist who became lost and disorientated in freezing conditions in February. The incident happened at Middle Edge Moss.

PC Beswick was off-duty when he and Ace reached the man. Thermal camera footage showed the moment they found him, and he was suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion. He was airlifted out by the Coastguard.

Speaking about the search, PC Beswick said: "We went out to look for a gent who had gone out cycling during the day, got a bit lost on Saddleworth Moor and ended up losing his bike, losing sort of his way.

"It got to towards midnight, in the dark and freezing temperatures and we went out to search.

"Luckily, we found him and he was airlifted out by the Coastguard and managed to get him home before anything worse happened to him."

Oldham Mountain Rescue Team said at the time that search dog Ace and his handler headed out first, travelling directly across open, rugged and challenging moorland with no defined paths. A second team followed close behind carrying additional equipment, and Ace made a swift and accurate find.

The casualty was assessed as suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion. The team gave immediate care, including shelter, insulation, a warm drink and food, before packaging the casualty into a stretcher for evacuation.

PC Beswick and Ace were chosen by a panel of local judges including radio DJ Shaun Keaveny, rugby league star Umyla Hanley and actress Nikki Sanderson.

Their citation said National Police Air Service (NPAS) was able to locate the man's heat signature, which led to Ace and PC Beswick finding him on Middle Edge Moss a short time later.

PC Beswick, who works on Greater Manchester Police's roads policing team, said: "Thanks to the fast response from officers, NPAS and OMRT, we were able to locate the man and prevent the worst outcome from potentially happening."

PC Beswick said Ace has been trained to find missing people, and the pair go out to find anyone who is missing or injured and does not know where they are.

He said they train twice a week locally and once a month somewhere in the UK, which could be Wales, the Peak District or elsewhere.

He said: "We basically we use a team, an army of what we call bodies, who are volunteers that go and lie in the hills somewhere and spend their time lying down reading books and waiting for a dog to come in to find them."

He added: "He's great and he sings to the Countdown theme tune! He acts as a timer."

Andrew Bowman, executive editor at BBC Radio Manchester, said: "Every year, when the Make a Difference Awards come around, I'm amazed by the nominations we receive.

"Reading about the incredible work taking place across our communities is both inspiring and humbling.

"The dedication, kindness and commitment shown by so many people is truly remarkable. Congratulations, and thank you for everything you do."