A couple has started a Facebook campaign appealing for help after their dog went missing in Whitstable last week.

Four-year-old Dave, a Jack Russell chihuahua cross, was last seen curled up asleep in his owner's van at 1.30pm in Grasmere Road on Wednesday.

But when Joe Catt returned to the vehicle after finishing work an hour later, he was shocked to find the side door open and the family pet nowhere to be seen.

Dave is described as fawn-coloured with a white chest and starting to go grey around the mouth.

Joe is certain he left the door shut and this leads him to believe the microchipped dog was stolen.

His wife Kelly said: "My husband had the van parked right outside the job and he was never more than 20ft away.

"Dave is a very friendly, well-behaved dog and it is unlike him to go far from Joe.

"We don't know if he has gone wandering, but think he would have said hello to someone or another doggy by now if that was the case, and we don't know if someone might have opened the door and didn't shut it in case Joe heard them.

"We have searched the local area several times with the help of lots of lovely local people that know the area better than us.

"But we still have no confirmed sightings which makes us feel like he could have been taken."

The couple live in East Sussex and launched a Facebook page to help their cause.

Kelly said: "We have contacted everyone we can, put out posters and have asked people to check any CCTV.

"We just want to make him too hot to handle and spread the word as much as possible.

"We miss him dearly and can't bear the thought of another night without him so far away. My son is so upset."

Anyone with information can get in touch with the couple via Dave's Facebook page or contact police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference KP-20160127-0806.