A dog that was stolen from Middlesex a year ago has been reunited her owner after being found 150 miles away in Somerset.

Joules, a Staffordshire bull terrier, disappeared from Liz Wilson-Roberts' family home in Middlesex last year.

She was found straying in Yeovil by a member of the public and taken to Wyndham Hill veterinary surgery.

Enforcement officers scanned Joules, who had recently had puppies, for a microchip and found she was registered to a property in Middlesex.

Officers from South Somerset District Council contacted the household and were told the dog went missing more than a year ago.

Ms Wilson-Roberts said she believed Joules had been stolen for dog fighting, a suspicion shared by the council.

"I am absolutely delighted to have got her back after a year and my five-year-old daughter is ecstatic," she said.

"It has certainly made her Christmas."

Councillor Jo Roundell Greene, portfolio holder for Environment and Economic Development at the council, said she was "delighted" Joules had been reunited with her owners.

"Our enforcement officers collect stray dogs," she said.

"If a dog has an identification tag, the wardens will seek to return it immediately to its owner.

"On this occasion, it appears that the dog was stolen and has been living in Yeovil. We are delighted to have reunited Joules with her rightful owner."