A puppy has been reunited with her owner, six weeks after being snatched from her home.

Lucy, an English springer spaniel, was stolen from a farm in Cliffe on December 18. Owner Leigh Loveridge had almost given up hope of finding her.

But on Tuesday, Miss Loveridge received a phone call from someone who thought she had seen the dog in Dartford.

Later that evening the police were able to track Lucy down and she was returned home in the early hours of the morning.

Miss Loveridge said: “It was about 1am when the police brought her round. They carried her to my door because they didn’t have a lead and she went mad. She was licking me and so excited.

"I was worried after six weeks she wouldn’t remember me. She has been like my shadow since she got home.”

She added: “Lucy is a bit thin and covered in fleas but she seems fine. She was back to her cheeky self straight away.”

More than 10,000 people joined the Help Find Lucy Facebook page and Miss Loveridge was inundated with possible sightings.

She said: “I want to thank everyone for their support. The police have been fantastic too. I am thrilled to have her home.”

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Police have reunited a dog reported stolen from Cliffe on 19 December with its owners.

"After receiving information officers attended a property in Dartford and identified the dog by scanning its microchip.

"No arrests have been made. Enquiries are ongoing"