A FAMILY left heartbroken when their puppy disappeared are looking forward to a happy New Year after they were reunited with their tiny pet pooch.

Nicky Cook-Martin, 31, who has three young children, David, 12, Emma, seven, and Blake, six, had been preparing for a gloomy Christmas.

But on Christmas Eve they got the best present they could have wished for when Fudge, their chocolate labrador, was handed back six days after she disappeared from the family's garden.

The family made a desperate plea in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for help in tracing their lost pup.

They were out searching the streets at all hours and putting up dozens of 'missing' posters throughout the Hall Carr area of Rawtenstall.

Nicky, of Whinberry Avenue, Rawtenstall, said: "The family who had taken Fudge in had seen the posters and the article and decided to return her.

"The children were over the moon when they saw Fudge again as we thought we'd lost her for good despite her being microchipped.

"When she was brought home it was the best Christmas present we could have asked for."

The Cook-Martins had had Fudge for just four weeks when she scampered off into the cold leaving companion Tia pining after her.

But Fudge had not gone far and had been taken in by another family which had taken a shine to the chocolate coloured pup.

Nicky said: "The family who had been looking after her were devastated when they gave her back to us.

"Their children were in tears because Fudge is such a loving puppy but we are grateful that they did the right thing by returning her.

"We have vowed never to let her out of our sight again but we are all just glad to have her back home with us safe and well."