Two dogs who have become internet sensations and helped thousands of people across the world deal with some of life's most difficult challenges have been given special recognition.

The canine duo known as Max and Paddy, two English Springer Spaniels, have risen to online stardom with their Facebook page - Max and Paddy out in the Lake District - topping 70,000 likes.

Yesterday the two support dogs were given an award from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a leading veterinary charity, for providing "support, comfort and joy" to thousands of people.

The dogs were awarded the PDSA Commendation during a presentation at the North Lakes Hotel in Penrith.

The journey of the two dogs began in 2006 when their owner Kerry Irving, of Keswick, was involved in a car crash with a truck leaving him with chronic neck and back pain.

The crash left the active 57-year-old housebound and requiring 27 tablets a day.

Kerry explained: "Max helped me through the recovery and the aftermath of the accident, he got me through depression and it was him that got me outdoors again.

"I lived just around the corner from him and I started taking him out for a walk, as I got healthier we just went further and further.

"He helped me through a really difficult time."

Kerry and his wife Angela took Max, now 11-years-old, into their home about four years ago.

Starting out by putting a few pictures of Max on his own Facebook page, Kerry could have never believed how far their journey would go.

"I put pictures up on Facebook of him [Max] and as his popularity grew, people starting saying Max should have his own Facebook page," Kerry added.

"We started the page in 2016 and they now have nearly 70,000 likes.

"The appeal is that the English are a nation that loves dogs, we also have the Lake District in the background.

"It is that appeal that has driven the page on. It is two dogs in the Lake District hoping to connect with people who are housebound or they are recovering from an accident and they look at the page and it gives them a lift every time.

"We get messages from people who are very ill and they meet the dogs for half an hour or an hour and the joy that it gives them is incredible, and I don't say that lightly."

As well as helping other people, it is with Kerry that Max made his mark.

"I was always an active person and then the next day [after the crash] I was housebound. I had to go through various medical operations and I was suffering from depression," Kerry continued.

"You don't tell people you have depression, nobody talks about depression. Particularly if you're a parent.

"I think I was near suicide, you don't say these things lightly. You just have this feeling of total worthlessness, you can't see a way out.

"My way out was walking a dog."

Helping people through their darkest days is just one string to Max and Paddy's bow.

Alongside Kerry the dogs take part in various charity walks, raising money for Eden Animal Rescue and Fix the Fells. So far they have raised more than £12,000 for both causes.

Originally it was just Max, but last year Kerry and Angela adopted a puppy and called him Paddy - named after Padawan from the Star Wars films. He is now 11-months old.

Living up to his name, he then became Max's "apprentice" and joined him and Kerry on their regular walks around the Lake District.

On receiving the award on behalf of Max and Paddy, Kerry said: "It means everything, I know it sounds quite cheesy. From my perspective in just putting a picture on Facebook I never thought we would have the impact that we did.

"The changes we have made to people's lives have come just from putting a picture on Facebook."

John Faulkner, principal vet from PDSA, said: "I have met them and they are two special dogs on different levels.

"First of all the support they bring to Kerry's life in recovering from a serious car accident, helping him to get out and about.

"Then there is the fact they have become internet sensations with over 70,000 likes on a daily basis."