THE owner of a distinctive Land Rover has thanked social media users for helping find it after it was stolen.

North Yorkshire Police reported the long wheelbase Defender stolen from Hetton, near Skipton overnight on January 13.

The Adventure Camp Defender - nicknamed “Lenny” by youngsters who have attended the camps - was taken from Learn and Experience’s head office in the Dales village.

A photo was posted on Twitter with police asking users to look out for the car which has an unsual white, green and orange paintjob.

At 11pm on Thursday night, PC Rich Sutcliffe, of North Yorkshire Police, reported the Land Rover had been found.

"Good news. As a result of Twitter and an eagle-eyed follower we have found this Landrover in W Yorks. Top job.Thanks," he wrote.

The news was greeted with delight by Lenny's owner.

“I can’t believe it,” said company director Sam Ridgway. “It’s so recognisable and everywhere we go in it around the area we get waved at. The public have been amazing and through Facebook and Twitter the message has been spread fast.”

Just hours after being reported missing, Lenny - which has appeared in media adverts, marketing campaigns and has even been immortalised as a toy - was found just 20 miles away in Haworth.

A tweet from Land and Experience said: "Seems to be in good health. Thank you so much to everyone who showed such compassion and support and especially to the incredible man who spotted him!"