A stolen pug has been reunited with his ‘elated’ owner nearly three weeks after being snatched from a supermarket car park.

Frank is now back at home after being found safe and well in Accrington.

Frantic owner Philip Ludlam mounted a huge search for his beloved pedigree pet after he vanished from his van outside Asda in  Trafford Park  on Friday, February 21.

He said: “I am absolutely elated.

“I never gave up on him but in the back of my mind it was always there that I might never see the boy again.

“I know it sounds soppy but when you have a pet they are like a member of the family

Frank was found in Accrington after a tip-off sparked by a  Facebook campaign to bring him home.

Philip tracked him down after someone reported there was a new dog in the area fitting Frank’s description.

He was handed over by a woman who is believed to have bought him from whoever stole him.

A vet has checked Frank over and his identity has been verified through his microchip.

Philip thanked everyone involved with the campaign, which got more than 2,000 ‘likes’ from people all over the world.

“I can’t thank everyone enough, from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

“They will never know what they have given back to me.”