A CRUFTS champion dog which vanished from its North-East home has been reunited with its owner following a massive community hunt.

The red and white bassett hound, called Honey, whose plight was highlighted in The Northern Echo this week, was found cowering beneath a bush more than a day after going missing.

And locals at a pub immediately bought a round of drinks when they heard it had been found safe and sound.

Owner Liz Cudlip, who is recognised as one of the nation's leading experts in the breed said: "I am absolutely delighted. I couldn't believe it.

"Honey was found by a dog warden who told me she was found shivering under a tree in a field near my house.

"I had been in that field near my house a number of times, but she was nowhere to be found."

She added: "When I went to pick her up at the kennels she appeared terrified and came out of the kennels with her hackles up.

"But when she saw me her face lit up and her tail wagged from one side to the other. She only has a little nick, but otherwise is fine."

Mrs Cudlip has several other bassett hounds, including other championship winners, at her east Durham home. She said she loved them all but Honey was her "particular favourite".

At about 5pm on Tuesday she had put all the dogs out into the garden, before giving them their evening meal.

Mrs Cudlip said: "I knew she was there then because I saw her in the hall."

The dogs were put out again at about 7pm.

It was at this point Mrs Cudlip admits she did not carry out a headcount and just assumed all were safely back in their room in the house.

But at 8.30am the following morning, when she went to check the dogs, she found to her horror that Honey was missing.

Posters were placed around the neighbourhood and regulars at the local pub put pictures of Honey on their mobile phones and scoured the area looking for her.

Mrs Cudlip, of Easington Colliery, said: "When I went into the pub with Honey they all cheered her and had a drink on her."