Community spirit is helping reunite a family with their beloved pet.

With the help of website Streetlife and a user Barbara Page of Warlingham, Stephanie Martin, from Whyteleafe, was first able to ask for help locating her six year old Staffordshire bull terrier, Rocky, and then when the kennel asked for more than £200 for his board, used it to appeal for help.

The mother of three has now taken Rocky home, though she is still collecting money from online donations to pay off the kennel costs.

Mrs Page, who has led the push for donations through Streetlife, said: "She was almost in tears when she saw people on Streetlife willing to put their hands in their pockets and donate.

"She didn’t expect it and we’d never have raised the money if it wasn’t for the awareness attracted through Streetlife."