OWNERS of a family dog are over the moon after they were reunited with him in time for Christmas.

Gwen Wood and her fianc Jez Fitzsimmons offered a cash reward after faithful black and white sheepdog Kane went missing last week.

But the two-year-old collie was returned home yesterday (Wednesday).

He had picked up by a workman who thought he was a stray - but owned up to the error after appeals from the family.

Gwen, who works with Jez at Triple 'S' UK, a scaffolding firm on White Lund, was 'absolutely delighted' after being separated from her four-legged friend for a week.

She told the Citizen: "The man was very apologetic and it was sad because I could her a little girl crying in the back ground. She probably got very attached to Kane because he is such a friendly dog."

She says the pair received scores of calls from people who thought they might have spotted Kane.

"I have been out most days looking for him because we wanted Kane back in time for Christmas. It is like having your children stolen. He is part of our family," she says.

After Kane went missing two workers from the industrial estate later told Gwen they had seen a black and white dog inside a car, with a little girl and two men.

The couple studied CCTV footage, which they even showed the police in a bid to track down Kane.