Chitty Bang Bang dog goes missing

Mari has been starring in the musical for four years

A dog with a starring role in the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has gone missing.

Mari, one of 10 trained dogs currently taking part in the show at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, disappeared during rehearsals earlier.

The small brown and white Tibetan cross fox terrier made his escape through the an open stage loading bay door.

Mari's handler, Sally-Ann Ronsescu, said she is devastated and has spent the day looking for him.

Extensive search

She said: "The dogs have been with the show for four years now, performing eight shows a week in five different cities.

"We fear that he may have got lost as he has not been outside the area of the theatre.

"If anyone sees him, please get in contact."

She said all 10 dogs are needed for the show because, unlike the human members of the company, there are no canine understudies.

An extensive search of the theatre and the area surrounding Commercial Road has been carried out but there was no sign of Mari.

Michael Rose, producer, said: "As a company we have become quite attached to the dogs and would like all Southampton residents to be on the look out for Mari."