THE owners of three-year-old whippet Murphy were delighted to have him back in their arms after a social media campaign to find him went viral.

Antony Storey had been separated from his treasured black and white whippet, Murphy, since last Friday at around 4.30pm and spent the weekend out searching for him until 10pm each night.

Mr Storey, of Trent Vale, Walney, owns four dogs including Murphy and was out walking them in the woods on Park Road when Murphy bolted.

Mr Storey said: "We are over the moon to have got Murphy back and it was all down to the online plea that was posted in the Evening Mail on Monday."

Sightings of Murphy were reported on the Evening Mail Facebook page, under a story about him which had reached nearly 15,000 people, and eventually he was returned on Monday evening.

Paige Leah Bauer reported the safe return of Murphy to the concerned Facebook audience by commenting on the story pleading for his return. She wrote: "Murphy was a little shaken up but nothing a little TLC from his owners won't sort. Thank goodness for social media!"

Mr Storey was not the only one to have missed Murphy during his absence. His best friend Bramble, a lurcher, was also distraught. Mr Storey said: "Bramble, is extremely attached to Murphy; they are like brothers. He didn't know what to do with himself when Murphy was missing, he is delighted to have him back."

The beautiful, black and white whippet had to make a trip to the vets on Tuesday evening due to the trauma he experienced during his ordeal. With luck, he will soon be back to his old self and out enjoying walks with his canine siblings once more.