A FRESH appeal for help was this week issued by a Buckland Monachorum couple, who are desperate to find their lost dog, Denzil.

The small black Patterdale terrier, which has a white spot on his chest, went missing while Mike and Linda Downing were working in their woodlands in the Denham Bridge area on May 18.

Despite an extensive poster campaign and an appeal in the Times, Denzil has not yet been located, although Mike and Linda have had many calls from readers trying to help them find their much-missed pet.

Linda said: 'It's been incredible, the number of people who have run us up to ask if we've found him yet.

'We had three calls from Harrowbarrow and we raced over there, but it wasn't him, another one last week from Bere Alston, but that turned out to be a black and white Staffy.

'Last night this lady rang up, she was camping down near Tavistock Woodlands, they weren't even local but they'd seen our posters and they thought they'd found him.'

Linda said sadly the dog was not Denzil, but she has since been told of two possible sightings in Tavistock, last Friday, June 10 and she urged residents in the area to keep a look out for Denzil.

'We are still hoping and trying to be positive, we know dogs do turn up weeks and weeks after they've gone missing, but it's hard. We do miss him so and wonder where he is,' said Linda, who said she had had a large poster made, which she and Mike intend to put up on the Denham Bridge road, to catch the eyes of commuters between Bere Alston and Plymouth.

Anyone who may have seen Denzil should call Linda Downing on 01822 853792 or 07724 486485. A reward is being offered.