Television personalities including Deborah Meaden and Michelle Keegan have joined the fight to reunite a heartbroken family with their missing dog.

Five-year-old Pomeranian, Bear, was allegedly stolen from outside Josephine Cordell's home in London Road in Wrotham last Monday, much to the dismay of the self-employed mum's three children, Pescha, 16, Marlo, 14, and Calia, 12.

Mrs Cordell said the reported theft had put a huge strain on the family, with her youngest daughter having been in and out of hospital for over a month as she battles illness.

Since then, there has been a huge push on social media to find the hound, with Dragons' Den businesswoman Meaden, former Coronation Street actress Keegan and TOWIE star Pete Wicks among those appealing for help in returning him home.

A £1,000 reward has been offered in recent days, after Bear was reportedly snatched in broad daylight just moments after the family let him out in the garden, as they do every morning.

The family have also produced hundreds of posters and are set to put signs up on the London Road roundabout to help increase awareness.

Mrs Cordell, 46, said: "My daughter sobs herself to sleep because someone has stolen her world. They belong together."

A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Officers received a report that between 11am and 11.45am on Monday, April 9, a ginger Pomeranian dog was stolen from the garden of an address in London Road.

"Anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Kent Police on 01634 604100 quoting reference YY/11657/18.

"Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."