A couple are celebrating after their stolen dog was found more than 100 miles from home.

Amber the lurcher went missing a month ago from the back garden of Janet Virgo and Tony Jeffrey's home in Tarring Neville, near Newhaven.

After four frantic weeks of worry the couple were reunited with the animal, which was scared and skinny but otherwise unhurt, on Boxing Day after making a round trip of 216 miles.

Miss Virgo said: "We had gone to visit friends on Christmas Day and when we got back there was a message on the answering machine saying a dog had been found in Hertfordshire.

"It was too late to phone back but we were really hoping it was her. The next day we drove to Hertfordshire and it was her. We are delighted."

The three-year-old dog was taken from a secure dog run in the back garden of the couple's house last month while Miss Virgo was out feeding horses.

Thieves cut through bolts on the run, killed two chickens and stole Amber, leaving a catapult behind.

Miss Virgo, 45, believes her dog was stolen to take part in the illegal sport of hare coursing.

The couple continue to search for their second dog, Gypsy, stolen only days after Amber, again from the garden.

Gypsy is black and white and Miss Virgo believes the same people are responsible for her disappearance.

Any information to police on 0845 6070999.