A DARWEN family received a wonderful Christmas present — their dog, who had been missing for three days, was found.

Two-year-old border/Lakeland terrier cross Oscar had been let off his lead as usual when owner Paul Townsend, 43, took him for a walk at the top of Jacks Key.

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But Oscar, who usually comes back after having a run, did not return and Mr Townsend’s calls went unanswered.

Extensive searches were carried out across the area as far as Edgworth. But Mr Townsend, his wife,Tracey, 40, and children Abigail, 12, and Jessica, six, had all but resigned themselves to a Christmas without their beloved pet.

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But after an appeal was picked up on Facebook by the dog’s breeder, Judy Horridge, from Wigan, she brought Oscar’s mum over and a search around Cranberry Moss led them to the missing animal, who had fallen down a shaft.

Mrs Townsend, a legal secretary, said: “He usually takes about 20 minutes then comes back.

“But this time he did not come back.

“We went all over the place looking for him but could not find him.

“We got him from the website Preloved, from a woman in Chorley, but after the story went on Facebook we had a call from a woman who said she was sure she had bred Oscar.

“Whether it was a coincidence or something to do with hearing his mum we do not know — but they heard a noise and there he was, stuck in a shaft.”

Mr Townsend was able to rescue Oscar from the 3ft shaft by lifting him out and brought him home in time for Christmas with the family.

Mrs Townsend said: “When we got him out he looked fine. You would not have thought he had been in there. He was very hungry, though.

“It was really nice of Judy to get in touch and to come over with Oscar’s mum.

“The whole thing showed the power of Facebook and there were people out all over the area looking for him.

“Oscar does not get let off his lead any more, though. He has had his chips with that one.”