A St Mary Cray mum-of-two has made a plea for the safe return of a stolen puppy, which she bought to help her children through the grief of losing their father.

Six-month-old brown and white Chihuahua Prince was snatched from Pauline Reeves’s garden at her home in Star Lane on October 8.

The 48-year-old bought the dog for her daughters Tara, 17, and 12-year-old Kimi after their dad Terry - her husband - died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome two months ago.

She told News Shopper: "Although it could never compensate my girls for losing their dad, I got them the sweetest little puppy ever to help them get through a really difficult time.

"The puppy has been through everything with us.

"He felt like part of the family right from the off.

"This was a house where everyone was crying and we could laugh at him because he wasn’t part of the tragedy."

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Missing: six-month-old brown and white Chihuahua Prince

Mrs Reeves, who had been married to her husband for 18 years when he died aged 49, bought the puppy on Tara’s GCSE results day.

She added: "She did really well and I impulsively agreed to buy Prince.

"He is such an important part of us.

"It’s really heart breaking. He’s an incredibly cute little dog.

"We just want him back."

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Kimi Reeves, 12, with some of Prince's toys

Mrs Reeves is offering a £300 reward for the safe return of Prince.

A 19-year-old youth has been arrested in connection with the theft of the puppy and is due to answer bail today (October 20).

Anyone with information should call Bromley police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555111.

You can also get in touch with Mrs Reeves via DogLost by calling the helpline 0844 8003220 or emailing admin@doglost.co.uk.