LITTLE cancer victim Alan Ashley Wells was in tears when his beloved dog - his reward for bravely facing surgery - had gone missing.

But today after his family launched an intensive ten hour search, his tearaway Yorkshire terrier Kimberley is back with him.

Kimberley, named by five-year-old Alan Ashley after the pink Power Ranger, escaped accidentally with the family's other two dogs out of the front door of their home in Oswald Street, Accrington, early yesterday. The other pets were found, but there was no sign of the tiny terrier.

Alan Ashley has had the dog just over a year and was so distressed that he took a little ornament replica of his pet to Peel Park Primary School with him for comfort. He wanted to stay at home and help his family with the hunt.

His mum Michelle and her friend spent ten hours searching the streets, putting up posters, contacting the police and vets. And Kimberley was finally returned by a passer-by who spotted the dog, who was wearing a collar and tag, in a street nearby.

Alan Ashley was given the pup just over a year ago after he underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat a cancerous tumour.

He lost a kidney but the cancer is now 23 months in remission.

Michelle said: "He was so brave we promised him a dog when he stopped being sick.

"Kimberley is absolutely mollycoddled by him.

"He's nursed her, he gets up every morning and hand feeds her and she sleeps with him on his bed.

"He was devastated when he heard she was missing but absolutely delighted when she was returned.

"He is still cheering and clapping his hands."

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