An elderly couple, whose dog went missing while they were on holiday, have received the news they feared they never would hear.

Joan and Peter Newman, from Bromham, were rung at 7.30am on Thursday by charity Dog Lost to tell them their two-year-old pet Rosie had been found nearly a month after she went missing.

Mrs Newman, 74, said: “I just screamed. I couldn’t believe it. We had begun to give up hope.

“I just cried and cried with relief but until I saw her I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much just in case.”

Rosie, a shih tzu cross miniature poodle, went missing on September 6 near Upavon when she was let off the lead.

The couple, who were on holiday in Canterbury, were told the day before they were due to return home and immediately organised a massive search with the help of Dog Lost.

Rosie was eventually found by a farmer in Wroughton, 42 miles from where she went missing. With the help of Dog Lost, a trap was set up to lure the timid dog to safety using food.

By chance, a volunteer from Dog Lost, who lives in a cottage on the farm, recognised Rosie from posters created by Mr and Mrs Newman and once she was safe was able to contact them.

Mr Newman, 77, a retired printer said: “It was our 55th wedding anniversary on Friday and this was the best present we could ever have.”

Rosie had lost 8lbs – almost half her body weight – and was very dirty and bedraggled when she was reunited with the couple.

Mrs Newman said: “She wasn’t well for a few days but the vet said she just needed to have light food and to rest. She is doing really well again now. We are never going to let her out of our sight again.”

They thanked Dog Lost for its help. Mr Newman said: “They have been absolutely fantastic.”