THE search continues for a much-loved English springer spaniel believed to have been stolen from the back of a 4x4 pick up truck in Worcester on Saturday.

It was an emotional return to the city for Fiona Jones and Bella's owners Chris Henderson and Jenny Clark as they put up posters at McCartneys, Nunnery Way, Worcester today (Wednesday).

The trio also spoke to people at the livestock auction to see if anyone remembered seeing anyone carrying the dog away or anything suspicious near to Mrs Jones' car.

Bella was being cared for by Mrs Jones who had taken the seven-year-old bitch, who is spayed and microchipped, and her own four dogs for a walk before attending a sheep sale.

When she returned to her car at about 12.20pm the mesh on the pick-up's canopy had been unbolted and Bella had been taken from the van.

While the four other dogs appeared unhurt Mrs Jones said they had been traumatised by the incident.

Mrs Jones, from Lighthorne, Warwickshire, said: "People have been absolutely unbelievable in helping us to try and bring Bella home.

"I was at Stratford and even an auctioneer selling sheep stopped in the middle of selling sheep to make an announcement.

"I couldn't believe someone would do that.

"We spoke to people at Worcester Cattle Market and one young man said he was going to Ludlow and would put up posters well another haulier went to Bridgnorth and put them up there.

"We've had two phone calls about the same bitch found in Burton-on-Trent but it isn't Bella.

"I'm coming back to Worcester on Saturday and I'm hoping to find the driver who was parked behind us and see if he saw anything."

Bella has one swollen teat and was wearing a red collar with five telephone numbers on it when she was taken at some point between 10.35am and 12.20pm.

Anyone who finds the dogs or has any information should call 07831 269 618, 07988 714 910 or the non-emergency police number 101 quoting reference number 318S160515.