Cruel thieves wrecked a family's Christmas by stealing their beloved animals - the latest in a feared pet-napping boom.

Sandy, a ten-month-old Labrador and Ollie, a rabbit, were taken from the Nyes' family home in Trafalgar Road, Portslade, in the run-up to the festive season.

Theresa Nye, 43, returned from work on December 19 at 11pm to discover her conservatory door had been forced open and Sandy was nowhere to be seen.

She then realised the rabbit had been taken from a hutch in the garden.

She said: "We've had Sandy since she was a pup.

"The police seem to think it may have been someone who knew us because if I'm not here, my son usually is and they must have known we were both out."

Mrs Nye said her youngest son Kieran, aged two, missed his pets and spent Christmas asking when they were coming home.

Mrs Nye said: "Sandy is the friendliest dog.

"Someone must have known we had her there and just took her from the back of the house."

The family is keeping a close eye out for their pet and have asked their neighbours to be on the alert.

They urge anyone who hears an animal whining or in distress, to call the police.

Last month The Argus reported how two lurcher dogs had been stolen from the back garden of a couple's house in Tarring Neville, near Newhaven, just days apart.

Jayne Hayes, co-founder of missing pet web site doglost.co.uk said dog-napping had reached "appalling" proportions in the South- East.

But Sussex Police insist there is no evidence of an increase in the number of dogs going missing.

Sandy is a golden, smooth-haired Labrador and Ollie is a dark grey, floppy-eared male.

Anyone with any information about the animals' whereabouts is being asked to contact Mrs Nye on 07748 326034.