Long haul search for missing dog

The reward banner is hung from a bridge

A Lincolnshire couple are pleading for the return of their dog after he was picked up by a lorry on a main road.

Walter the black Labrador disappeared shortly after running out on to the southbound A1 near Grantham on 21 July.

Witnesses say two lorries stopped the traffic to save the dog but then one driver put Walter in his cab and drove off to an unknown destination.

Now Paul and Celia Carpenter have hung a banner over the A1 offering a reward for the return of their beloved pet.

Pet Pain We are hoping somewhere, somebody will hear mention of Walter Paul Carpenter

Mr Carpenter said: "We have been used to coming down the stairs in the morning and having two wagging tails greeting us.

"Now, of course, there is just one and it's a big hole, a big gap, in our lives."

The couple say they are finding it hard to sleep and their other Labrador, Hector, is pining.

The banner has been hung from a bridge across the A1 and alerts drivers to the reward and also carries the Carpenters' phone number.

Mr Carpenter said: "Lorry drivers always chat to each other and we are hoping somewhere, somebody will hear mention of Walter and make contact."