A HEARTBROKEN bride-to-be is offering a reward for information leading to the return of her beloved pet which was snatched from the back garden of her home.

Catherine Barrow, of Grafton Street, Newtown, had popped into the town centre with her parents on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, to make some last-minute arrangements for her big day in two weeks time.

But when they returned she discovered that Billy, her Jack Russell terrier, had disappeared from the back garden.

A neighbour told Catherine's mum Dorothy that she had seen two young boys climbing over the fence from their garden with Billy at about 3.30pm, shortly before the family's return from their shopping trip.

Dorothy told the Star: "Catherine is absolutely devastated. She has been out looking round the estate and asked everyone she saw but no one seems to know anything. She only bought Billy a year ago but he means so much to her. It has really put a dampener on the wedding."

Anyone who might be able to help Catherine find Billy can contact her on St Helens 604476 or Dorothy on 608587.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.