A BUCKLAND Monachorum resident this week issued an urgent appeal for help, after her beloved terrier went missing in woodlands near her home.

Linda Downing and her husband Mike work in the woods in the Denham Bridge area, on the Bere Alston side of the valley.

Denzil, their Patterdale terrier, was with the couple while they were working last Wednesday afternoon, but wandered off and did not return when they were ready to go home.

Despite an exhaustive search of the area, a poster campaign and dozens of phone calls, no news has been received on his whereabouts.

Linda said: 'He's the most darling little dog, we've had him since he was eight weeks old, he's two-and-a-half now, and we are desperately missing him.

'He was last seen by a schoolboy in Trendle Lane at 4.15pm last Wednesday, May 18.

'The worst thing is just not knowing, he could be stuck down a badger hole or anything.

'He went missing about a mile west of Denham Bridge, up towards Bere Alston. We've walked all along the road to see if he'd been knocked down by a car, we've put 50 posters out asking people to look out for him.'

Denzil, a small black terrier, has been microchipped and he is wearing a black leather collar with a red disc that says 'Scan me'.

Linda said: 'You wouldn't have thought a dog would make such a difference to your life — we also have a little 12-year-old terrier who's blind, and she's confused, she doesn't understand where Denzil has gone.

'People have been so kind, ringing up to see if we've found him — we are just so desperate to get him home.'

Anyone with any information or who may be able to help find Denzil is asked to call Mike and Linda Downing on 01822 853792.

A reward is being offered.