A LITTLE girl's tears turned into a broad smile when her two puppies which had gone missing overnight were found safe and well.

Earlier this year, Yazmin Gibson helped to deliver the two mini Schnauzers, Brandy and Shiraz, at her home in Maltby, Teesside.

They had become her faithful companions and she was distraught at their loss.

The dogs were playing in the family's garden at their home in High Lane following Yazmin's eighth birthday celebrations on Sunday.

They were only alone for a short while and when the family went to call them in there was no sign of them.

Despite a frantic search of the garden no gaps in any of the fences were found and the family feared the dogs may have been stolen.

However, yesterday morning the family received a phone call to say both dogs had been found safe and well and handed in to a local vets.

Yazmin's mother, Anita Gibson, said: "We are absolutely delighted. It is a very happy family now and Yazmin is ecstatic.

"Fortunately, both dogs are fine and everything is okay."