A FAMILY who moved back to East Lancashire to start a new life are heartbroken after two pet dogs were stolen in a raid on their home.

Geoff and Sara Royle had lived in Kent 10 ten years, before moving to Great Harwood earlier this month with daughter Nicola.

Geoff, who is originally from Burnley, and his family are hoping to settle back in East Lancashire. They are temporarily renting a home in Moss Street, Great Harwood.

The house was broken into on Friday, and a number of electrical items were taken. But the family's biggest shock came when they realised two of their three dogs had been stolen too.

The pair of golden retrievers, aged 11 and 13, were taken along with collars and leads, while their third dog, a four-year-old papillon called Mini, was found cowering under the settee.

Now the family are appealing for anybody with information to come forward and help and are offering a £500 reward for the return of their pets.

Geoff, 52, said: "I'm not bothered about the television and stuff, it's neither here nor there. It's just the dogs.

"They're just like extra children to us because we have had them since they were born. We've had them a lot of years."

Wife Sara, 44, who works at Marks and Spencer in Burnley, and 16-year-old Nicola, were devastated by the loss of the dogs - Rosie, 13, and Cassie, 11.

Now the police are investigating the raid, in which a laptop computer and the television were also stolen.

Geoff, who is between jobs due to the relocation, said: "We have only been here just over a week. It's just so strange that a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old dog would be taken. The dogs' leads and collars were behind the front door and they were taken too.

"Mini is wandering around completely confused. She was hiding under the settee - when we came home she came out from under it.

"Most of our stuff is in storage with the removal company that brought us up here. We have just got the essentials.

"The dogs are like members of the family. We just want them back."

Anyone with information can call police on 01254 353342.