HE may not have a patch on his eye, but Nelson has been in the wars all the same, after a serious car crash left the brave collie cross facing horrific injuries.

Staff at Westmoor Veterinary Centre say the dog has been a hero patient — he survived major surgery to save his life after the accident last Wednesday.

Nelson had to have his hind leg and two toes amputated by vets. He also suffered a gashed nose, his skin was ripped from his flesh and staff also feared his jaw was fractured.

Denise Nordenhall, office manager at Westmoor, said: 'He's been an absolute braveheart, even though he's been in such severe pain. He's just been unbelievable.

'How he's got through this I don't know, he just seems to have the real will to live in him. Everyone here just loves him. He's been amazing.'

Nelson's owner, James Gibson, said the accident, which happened after his usual walk on Whitchurch Down, was 'a terrible shock'.

'It was awful. At first, every time we went to see him we thought it was going to be the last time. It was heart-breaking.

'And it's not like when a person is hurt, he couldn't really tell you, but he was literally crying with the pain,' said James.

'His injuries were so serious they had to wait before they could amputate his leg — and on his back right leg, the flesh has been pared pretty much down to the bone.

'He's still very tired but he's been so much better since his leg was amputated. To be honest, that's the least of our worries, getting the remaining injuries to heal is the difficult thing. I think it's going to be a long road.'

James said Nelson, a rescued dog of about four years old, was 'a fantastic dog' who had been 'incredibly brave' throughout his ordeal.

'I think that's the only reason we've still got him, that he's let the vets do what they've had to do.

'They've been unbelieveable — I don't know how to thank them really,' said James.