A prize-winning breeder has been left devastated after two of her beloved dogs were stolen.

Pensioner Janet Campion, who has won several Crufts awards in her 50-year career, is still in shock at the theft of her pedigree Yorkshire terrier bitches.

Nancy, six, and seven-month-old Treacle were snatched from an enclosure by an intruder who scaled a 6ft fence to get into her Rainham garden.

Mrs Campion, 71, was watching TV at home in Moor Street - where she lives with daughter Anna Lyons and her husband Simon - when she heard a commotion.

When she went to investigate, she found two dogs (pictured left) missing - as well as an intruder's footprints in the flower bed and up the fence.

Mrs Campion, who has been breeding Yorkshire terriers since 1961 and judges international dog championships, said: "Yorkies are my life, so I can't explain how awful this is.

"I can't sleep or eat - all I keep thinking about is my babies. I'm absolutely devastated. I just desperately want them back. They mean the world to me, but without paperwork the dogs are worth hardly anything to other people."

Her daughter Mrs Lyons said: "At first we thought they were just hiding because the garden is virtually dog escape-proof. But we knew they had been stolen when we saw the footprints.

"My mum's Yorkies are her life - they are her passion. She has spent two-thirds of her life breeding them."

The owner of a nearby farm said he saw a man jump into the passenger seat of a white Vauxhall Corsa that sped off from outside Mrs Campion's house around the time of the theft, at about 6.50pm on Tuesday last week.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the theft or anyone who has been offered two Yorkshire terriers for sale.

Insp Craig West said: "I fully appreciate how upsetting it must be for someone to have their pets stolen and the owner can be assured that we are fully investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"It may be the case that the dogs have been stolen in order to be sold on, and therefore I would urge anyone who is aware of two Yorkshire terriers being for sale to contact us on 01622 690690."