A distraught family have launched a desperate appeal after their beloved pet dog went missing.

Family dog Elle broke free from her lead on a walk near Hameldon woods on the edge of Huncoat on June 12.

Elle’s owners had travelled to Greece on their first holiday together in years to try and recuperate after both mother Sue Green and her daughter Dawn Schofield had both been undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

But when they returned they were handed the heartbreaking news that their lurcher Elle had been spooked by a motorcycle, broken her lead, and run off.

Sue, who lives in Accrington and works at Express Gifts, said: “It had been such a stressful year even before we lost Elle which was the reason for the family break to Greece.

“Dawn went through surgery for breast cancer last year and I have had surgery and I am starting radiotherapy for breast cancer at the moment.

“Losing Elle is just devastating on top of all this, both my daughter and granddaughter are desperate to have her home safe.”

Although the family searched high and low for Elle, and despite an early sighting in Huncoat, she has still not been found.

Sue said: “We have been searching where she was last seen in Huncoat, and around Hameldon Hill were she broke free and we have been putting posters up all over.

“There was a sighting of her when she first got lost in Huncoat but since then we have had no further sightings.”

Elle, who is just four years old, is not only the favourite pet of the family, she also provides a much-needed source of comfort to Sue’s daughter, Dawn, who also suffers from a rare disability.

Dawn, 42, lives independently in Church, but suffers with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which means she often dislocates her joints and is occasionally forced to become bedridden.

Sue said: “Elle is a good friend for my daughter because there are times when she is in bed a lot and the dog is good company for her.

“Dawn’s so upset, she just wants her dog back safe.”

The family are even offering a £300 reward for safe return of Elle, who is black and has a distinctive white mark on her chest.

If you spot Elle please contact 07864 611657 or 07918 800179.