A FAMILY has spoken of their joy after their pet pug was found safe and well following its suspected theft from their County Durham garden.

Seventeen-month-old Elsie was found near South Hetton petrol station on Thursday morning after going missing on Sunday evening from Jessica Bridge's garden in Gray Avenue, Murton.

Ms Bridge revealed on Monday how she and her four-year-old son Jayden were distraught after the dog disappeared.

The family printed more than 1,000 flyers for distribution around the local area and issued desperate appeals on-line for Elsie's safe return.

Ms Bridge said: "We are over the moon to have our Elsie safely home.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to the couple who brought her back home this morning, especially to the amazing man who spotted her and picked her up. We will be forever grateful.

"We would also like to thank every single person out there who have helped us day and night. We didn't think we would get her back - we feel so lucky.

"Jayden is so happy his best friend is home."

Ms Bridge said they believed Elsie may have been dumped by the thief after her disappearance attracted so much publicity.