A quick-thinking police sergeant saved an elderly man's life after supermarket delivery workers said he had not collected his shopping.

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Movie maker: Mr Lister worked on the Dirty Dozen film, among others. Pic: MGM

Former movie prop maker Keith Lister, 74, had collapsed at his Beddington home and Asda drivers could not deliver his groceries.

Mr Lister worked on the Dirty Dozen and Carry On films, and met stars like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Richard Attenborough.

He was found slumped in his armchair on Monday by Sergeant Kieron O'Brien, who had been sent to the home by concerned Asda staff while he investigated an unrelated call in Beddington industrial estate.

Sgt O'Brien, of Beddington north safer neighbourhood team, said: "He was in a bad way and looked like he hadn't moved for at least a day or so.

"He was seeing with his eyes but he couldn't communicate verbally and was extremely dehydrated.

"We also helped to rescue his cat called Lucy, which was inside his address and also extremely poorly when we arrived.

"Clearly, the cat had not had had any food or water for some time."

Staff at St Helier Hospital said Mr Lister had contracted severe pneumonia, but was recovering well.

A spokeswoman added: "If police had not come along when they did, this man who had a variety of issues could have deteriorated further and died."

Mr Lister, of Ensign Way, Beddington, said: "I don't remember police coming into my house.

"I was sitting in my chair and the next thing I knew, I was in accident and emergency."

Chief Inspector Duncan McMillan said: "This incident underlines how important it is for members of the public to tell police what's going on - information which can make a real difference and change people's lives as it has done in this case."