THANKS to a tiny microchip, a woman was reunited with her pet dog, after it was stolen on Christmas Eve and marooned in Darlington.

Mrs Jackie Crofter Harris, of Bilsdale, was overjoyed when her dog was found four days after it went missing.

She suspects a thief abandoned the ten-month-old lurcher bitch, April, because it was not keen on hare coursing. The animal was found wandering in The Broadway, Darlington, in a very thin and scared condition. At the same time, another lurcher was taken from Darlington, Mrs Crofter Harris was told.

April was taken to the National Canine Defence League centre in the town. A dog warden identified her name and address by scanning a microchip in her neck.

Recalling the apparent theft, Mrs Crofter Harris said: "April disappeared during the bitter weather. I was mucking-out my horses and was unable to shut a gate because of the snow. She wandered through the gate and down to the stream, where she gets a good run. She probably hoped I'd follow her.

"However, I saw a car stop nearby and a man got out. I reckon he stole her. Surely that's the only way she could have ended up miles away in Darlington?"