A Golden Retriever's eight-day ordeal, after she was carted off in a stolen car by thieves, is finally over.

Dee, aged three, was found weak and hungry in a field by farmer Ninner Upstone at his farm in Westbury - four miles from her home in Mixbury, near Bicester.

She had been stolen eight days before by thieves, who did not realise she was still inside the blue Izuzu car.

Andrew Clarke reunited with his Golden Retriever Dee

Mr Upstone, a good friend of Dee's owner Andrew Clarke, was out walking his own dog when he spotted Dee.

Now she is safe at home with her family.

A relieved Mr Clarke, who works at Mixbury Hall Farm, said today: "Ninner Upstone recognised her and called me. He picked her up and drove her back. I met him half way and it felt so good to see her again. We think she must have been dumped and was trying to make her way back home to the farm."

Mr Clarke, who lives in Linden village, Buckinghamshire, and his sister Elizabeth Clarke, of Woodstock Road, Yarnton, put up posters in a bid to find Dee.

The Oxford Mail reported on their plight and dozens of readers called the Clarkes to express sympathy.

Mr Clarke said: "People were very concerned. I just hope I don't have any more cars stolen. I am borrowing a friend's at the moment."