A dog which had been missing for more than six weeks has been reunited with its owners.

Ted, a Pomeranian, went missing in April in the Gillingham area and was thought to be injured after being hit by two cars.

His owner, Claire McBeath, 49, and her family launched a campaign to try and find him after he ran off from their home.

Ted disappeared on Friday, April 25 and the 16-month-old pooch was spotted several times in the Lower Gillingham area.

Reported sightings suggested he has been hit by at least two cars on the A289 Gillingham link road.

Ted went missing from his home in Eastern Road, after a front door had accidentally been left open.

He had been spotted several times in The Strand, Waterside Lane area and on land close to Riverside Country Park which is in Lower Rainham Road, but despite extensive searches, he was not found.

Mrs McBeth, 49, and her husband Derek, along with their four daughters Ellie, 22, Georgia, 19 and Maisie and Louise, both 12, were all distraught they couldn't find him.

They had organised a Facebook and poster campaign and had enlisted the help of volunteers at Animals Lost and Found in Kent, who rounded up about 30 people to go out and search for their beloved pooch.

However, yesterday, Mrs McBeth's daughter, Georgia, revealed their pet had now been found and returned to them on the Animals Lost and Found in Kent Facebook page.

She said: "So, so happy to say that our Ted has finally been found and returned home today.

"He was found by a couple at The Strand and they had contacted my sister who then went to pick him up.

"He's very skinny and very weak but we are so happy to have him home safe with us."

The teenager also thanked everyone for their help in keeping an eye out for her beloved dog.

She added: "We would just like to thank everyone who helped look for Ted and everyone who helped to spread the word about him.

"After being lost for just over six weeks now, it's safe to say we are over the moon to have him back."