A heartbroken family is appealing for the return of two cocker spaniels they fear were snatched while out on a walk.

Mum-of-two Beth Fuller says the dogs, Barney and Inca, vanished in woodland near their home in Bossingham on Saturday afternoon (Jan 23).

Despite mounting several search parties with husband Mark and their son and daughter, Ben, 15, and Josie, 19, there has been no sign of them since.

Beth, who works for Jacksons Fencing, said: “Barnie and Inca are father and daughter and he actually belongs to my dad. But as my dad is 81, I usually walk him these days.

“They both know the woods well and their way home.

“They’ve sometimes run off before but always come back when we call, but this time they just vanished, which they have never done.

“We have been out with groups of up to 10 people looking for them and I am pretty sure that someone has picked them up.

“A farmer said he saw a white van being driven away from the area quite quickly not long after they disappeared, so maybe that had something to do with it.”

The dogs were being walked in Hardres Court Road when they disappeared at about 5pm.

Barney is eight, docked, chipped, and has a white bib and blue collar with tag. Inca is just 18 months, very small, undocked, and has a brown collar with tag.

Beth added: “They’re both pets and can’t be used as gun dogs. All of us are very upset as they are part of the family. We have put appeals all over Facebook and just hope someone recognises them and knows where they are.”

Anyone with information can call Beth on 01227 709496 or 07580 333045.