A MAN is searching for the beloved dog he lost while visiting Cumbria for the New Year .

Paul Hadfield, from Bolton, is for people in the area of Winton, near Kirkby Stephen, to ask neighbours and friends to 'look for Lance’ his pet dog.

Mr Hadfield was left devastated after the Rhodesian Ridgeback went missing in the Eden village on Friday January 3.

It is believed to have run off injured, possibly after being ‘clipped’ by a vehicle.

Mr Hadfield says Lance has been by his side for the last seven years and helped him through thick and thin, including struggles with mental health: "More than a week has gone now: I am really struggling coping without my boy," he said. "I'm tired, emotionally drained and my body aches everywhere from searching."

Mr Hadfield believes that Lance will be found, if only the word can be spread far and wide across the North West. He believes the most likely scenario is that someone has taken Lance in, believing him to be a stray, but perhaps that person is not on social media, but listens to the local radio or reads the local paper.

He added: "Lance is a shy dog and not used to the country. He’s a big softie and loves home comforts, especially snuggling next to be me on the sofa. However, he’s also a mature, experienced, intelligent dog in good health; a survivor. I just know he is out there waiting for me to find him."

Mr Hadfield added: "I’m completely humbled by all the amazing support from both my friends and the local community. Everyone has rallied

around and I’ll be forever grateful."

If you have any information that might lead to finding Lance, if only a possible sighting, please call either

07738 387 545 or 07910 736 505. Join the search on Facebook and Twitter: #LookingforLance or support the search here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lookingforlance