An owner has been reunited with their stolen dog after police stopped a car in Wrotham Heath last week.

Patrolling officers pulled over a black Volkswagen Golf, linked to theft offences, travelling along the A20 on Friday morning.

Inside they discovered Ruby, a young spaniel who had been reported stolen from Sussex the day before.

She was taken to a local vet and scanned for a microchip, which helped to track down her true owner.

Sgt Jon Turtle said: "It took some further work from our officers to establish where the dog had come from.

"When we eventually contacted her rightful owner he was at Uckfield Police Station, reporting she had been stolen the previous evening.

"We’re all delighted that Ruby has been reunited with her owner. To be able to locate a dog reported stolen in less than 24 hours is tremendous and down to some fantastic work by local patrols."

Two men were arrested and later bailed, pending further enquiries.