A DISTRAUGHT family have appealed for a relative to get in contact with them as they hunt for a missing pet.

The Daley family last saw Tara, a German Shepherd, on April 19. The next morning, she had vanished.

Relative James Biggs, who had been staying at their Wilfred Street, Accrington, home, also left at a similar time and the family now hope he may have seen the dog or accidentally let it out.

Despite trying to track down Mr Biggs, who is believed to be staying in a bed and breakfast in the Colne Road area, the family have so far drawn a blank, leaving children Daniel, 14, and Lucy, seven, devastated at the prospect of never seeing their precious pet again.

Their father, Kevin Daley, said: "The kids are gutted about the dog. We've had her since she was a puppy and they have grown up with her. "We had put up James for a few nights and one night we went to bed as normal. We heard the door go at about 5am and didn't think anything of it, but when we got up, Tara had gone as well."

Posters have been distributed near to the family's home and the dog's disappearance has been reported to the police. A small reward is now being offered for Tara's safe return.

Mr Daley added: "Everyone is missing her, even my two cats have noticed she has gone. She was the ideal family pet. I have tried to get hold of James, who tends to move around a lot, but we just can't seem to track him down.

"I thought he was in the Burnley area, but none of the B and Bs where we were told he was have any idea where he could be.

"We just want him to contact us if he knows anything.

"We love the dog dearly and it would break our hearts to lose her for ever."

Pictured are the Daley family with a picture of their missing pet (from left) Lucy, seven, mum Andrea and Daniel, 14.