A FAMILY are appealing for the return of a dog they say is their only reminder of an uncle who died on New Year's Day.

Vanessa Divine, of Percy Street, Accrington, took in three-year-old Jack Russell Spike after the death of Stephen Ball.

Mr Ball, 44, was found dead in his Accrington home and the family are still waiting for an inquest to be carried out into his death, scheduled for April.

But on Saturday, January 24, Spike wandered out of a rear gate and has not been seen since. Vanessa believes he was stolen by two young boys seen in the area. Vanessa, a nursery nurse, said: "The dog was his best friend. They were inseparable and my uncle had brought him over from Ireland when he moved here.

"It's terrible. I don't know how anybody could take someone else's animal."

Spike is a white dog with a brown nose and a brown patch on his back. He had no tag but was wearing a collar.

Inspector Andy Hill, of Blackburn Police, said: "We are asking anybody with information to come forward."

To help call Accrington police on 01254 382141.