A TIMPERLEY couple were devastated after their van was stolen - with their pet dog inside.

Tess, a two-year-old Jack Russell, and the white Ford Transit van were taken yesterday (September 24) at around 2.20pm from Moorside Road, Dayhulme, where the vehicle was parked while gardener and owner Michael Cowlishaw carried out a job.

His girlfriend, Karen Walmsley, 44, who lives with Michael, 43, said: “We are both devastated and heartbroken over what has happened and have spent hours searching for Tess. We really hope we find her safe, well and soon.”

Michael added: “It’s just a nightmare. I couldn’t give a damn about the van, it’s Tess I’m really worried about.”

Karen descibed Tess as a friendly and affectionate dog who was very small, mainly white in colour with a bit of tan on her face and had a docked tail.

The van had the words “garden maintenance” painted on the side in blue with the mobile phone number 07886 769668 and the registration number is M188 WEM. There were four ladders attached to the roof.

The couple along with Karen’s 13-year-old daughter Samantha are now desperately searching for Tess and have put up posters with her picture on.

If anyone has any information please call 07886 769 668 / 07746 936 135 / 07590 755 270 or 07940 162 946.

The couple have offered a reward upon the retrieval of Tess.