Burglars thought they had hit the jackpot when they grabbed what looked like a jewellery box in a wardrobe.

In fact, the pine box contained the ashes of Joshua, a golden labrador and beloved family pet.

Joshua joined the Reilly family when he was a tiny puppy and became part of the family for 14 years until his death in 2001.

Rhonda Reilly, 51, could not bare to part with the animal and would not bury his ashes in the garden in case they moved one day.

Mrs Reilly, married with two grown-up children, said: "It is bad enough being burgled but losing Joshua is just heartbreaking.

"He was so loving and such a softie. He would have shown the burglars round the house if he'd been alive."

Joshua weighed 6st and would insist on sitting on laps. Mrs Reilly said: "He was very prone to accidents and was always bumping his head and running into things.

"He had a metal plate through a back leg after he jumped for a ball and landed awkwardly. He was a bit of an idiot."

Mrs Reilly said her son, 23, and daughter, 26, were deeply upset by the theft.

She pleaded with the thieves to return the ashes and asked the public to report any sightings of the box to police in case the thieves dump it.

They broke into the Reillys' home in Shoreham on Thursday when no one was in.

They forced a back door and made off with jewellery, cash and a CD player.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The ashes are of no value to anyone else and have probably been dumped somewhere."

The dog's pine box carries a brass plaque with Joshua's details.

Anyone finding the box should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.