Tiny chihuahua crossbreed Honey was startled by refuse collectors on Tuesday last week - and had not been seen since after escaping from her lead.

The two-year-old, who is crossed with a Jack Russell, had a litter of puppies only four weeks ago and needed medical attention.

But after the Express posted an urgent appeal for her return on our website on Friday, she has been reunited with her distraught owners over the weekend.

Honey was last seen near the garage on Preston New Road, near the start of the M55 at Peel corner, last Tuesday morning.

And her distraught owner, Pat Green, was fearing the worst.

But now she can relax again after Honey was recognised straying near Blackpool airport and was returned to her family.

Honey, a timid dog, is a beige colour and looks like a pure-bred chihuahua. Mrs Green had gone on holiday and had left Honey with a dog-sitter while she was away.

But Honey ran away the morning the Greens arrived back in the UK after a noisy bin wagon startled her. She somehow slipped her harness and raced off up the street.

She is familiar with the walk aroud Whyndyke Farm, where the car boot sales are held, and rescuers had concentrated their search around there.

But despite phone calls to every animal rescue centre and vets' surgeries, the police, dog wardens and a leafletting and poster campaign, there was only one sighting soon after Honey's disappearance on Tuesday, when she was described as "dodging traffic" near the aforementioned petrol station.

Mrs Green said the family was "devastated" and her other dogs were pining.

She said yesterday: "We now have Honey back and would like to thank The Express and everyone else who helped in our search."