War veteran Harold Pursey, who refused to move into care unless his faithful dog could go too, has died peacefully at the age of 94, with Labrador Bob at his side.

Mr Pursey, of Burnham-on-Sea, a retired butcher, was allowed to keep Bob with him when he moved first into a residential home and then, a few weeks ago, into a nursing home.

The Western Daily Press told how Burnham Lodge nursing home also agreed to give Bob, aged ten, a home for life.

Now social worker Judith Alder, who helped ensure Mr Pursey found dog-friendly care, and Soriaya Mandiga, the matron at Burnham Lodge, each plan to undertake a daring sponsored wingwalk to raise funds for any veterinary care that Bob may need as the years go by.

Miss Alder said yesterday: "The home will feed Bob and look after him, but veterinary bills can cost hundreds of pounds. I am planning to set up a Bobby Appeal bank account to which people who may like to sponsor us can donate. We were overwhelmed by how many people wrote to Mr Pursey after seeing the story in the paper of how he was able to keep Bob with him."

Mr Pursey's funeral will take place at Weston-Super-Mare crematorium at 3.30pm on Thursday – and staff have relaxed their "no dogs" rule to allow Bob to attend.