A DISABLED pensioner who has become a "hermit" because his trusty sidekick is unable to walk has thanked members of the public for raising half of the cash needed to pay for an operation.

Despite being partially-sighted and deaf, 72-year-old Colin Powell has managed to retain the independence he craves by taking regular walks with his beloved labrador Toby.

But around a month ago, Toby was left barely able to walk and in crippling pain from a joint injury which can only be fixed by a £3,000 operation at a specialist vet's.

Mr Powell only has the confidence to leave his home while his wife Bev is at work if Toby is by his side - with Toby unable to walk the pair are now both house-bound.

Even more distressing is that the Powells are unable to claim the full amount on their pet insurance because they have already reached their claim limit because of Toby's pancreatitis.

"Colin's become a hermit," Mrs Powell, of Kennedy Street in Ulverston, said.

"He's partially-sighted and is deaf so when I'm not at home he would be able to get out of the house with Toby. Without his dog he has no confidence to do that on his own.

"The dog is his carer, Toby is his life."

Toby is clearly missing the twice-daily jaunts - if his lead is accidentally knocked and the familiar sound reaches his ears, the five-year-old labrador leaps up ready for a walk.

Mr Powell is also used to an active life - during his working life he was a support worker in the care industry.

But one day he woke up unable to see and was diagnosed with macular degeneration leaving his reliant on Toby or his wife to be his eyes.

Desperate to reinstate her husband's independence, Mrs Powell has launched a Go Fund Me page HERE to try and raise the money needed to pay for Toby's operation.

Since the campaign was launched last Wednesday, donations have already passed the half-way mark with a total of £1,675 now pledged.

Mrs Powell said: "It's absolutely fantastic, we're so grateful to each and every person who's made a donation."