A POLICE helicopter helped rescue an 80-year-old man from a water-filled ditch in Witheridge yesterday.

The man, who suffers from dementia, left his care home at about noon on Sunday, February 14.

Officers immediately mounted a major operation using the helicopter and tracker dogs.

Following a sighting of a man in a field, police in the helicopter spotted a man stranded in a water-filled ditch nearby.

Officers were guided to the location where the man was found. He was declared fit and well by an ambulance crew.

A police spokesman said: "This is a great example of how resources can be used with local teams to ensure the safety of the public.

"This vulnerable man was returned safe and well within an hour of him being reported missing."