A PET dog stolen along with his owner’s van has been found safe and well – 30 miles from the scene of the theft.

Buster, a black and white spaniel, was sitting on the front seat of a white builder’s van when it was stolen from the driveway of a home in Scorton, near Richmond, at about 11.30am on Tuesday, May 6.

His owner was working in the bungalow and had left the door open to help Buster keep cool as he waited.

However later that night the animal was found safe and well by a member of the public near Coxhoe, County Durham – and has since been re-united with his grateful owners.

The stolen van – a white Vauxhall Vivaro registration number DS60 JDO – and the tools inside have not yet been found and police are investigating.

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Kalinka Smith-Owen or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.