A reward of £100 has been offered for the return of a dog taken away in a stolen car.

Andrew Clarke appeals for the return of his dog, Dee

Andrew Clarke, owner of timid golden retriever Dee, wants to hear about any sightings of his pet after she was taken on Thursday.

Three-year-old Dee, who is small and dark ginger, was inside Mr Clarke's blue H-reg Isuzu Trooper which was stolen from Mixbury Hall Farm, near Bicester, where he works.

He has had Dee for 18 months and normally keeps her by his side. But he was working when the theft took place, so she stayed in the four-wheel-drive vehicle.

He said: "She had a really rough time before I got her.

"It took me months before I dared to let her off the lead. She was terrified of everyone and everything.

"She wouldn't bite - she would just run away from them to get as far away as possible."

Mr Clarke, who lives in Linden Village, Buckinghamshire, and his sister, Elizabeth Clarke, of Woodstock Road, Yarnton, have been looking for Dee and have made posters asking people to get in contact if they see her.

They believe she may be hiding in a shed or barn.

Posters were put up beside the A34 in East Ilsley, just over the border into Berkshire, after police said there had been a sighting of a dog answering Dee's description.

Mr Clarke said: "She's going to be absolutely terrified. Because of the treatment she had before I got her, she doesn't like being away from me.

"I dread to think what's going through her mind at the moment."

The reward is for information which leads to getting her back safe and well.

Anyone who spots Dee should contact Mr Clarke on 07974 590661.

Anyone with information about the theft of the car can contact police on 01865 266000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.