WHEN one of her pet Yorkshire terriers went missing through the cat flap on Sunday Thruxton woman Linda Fitch-Wilkie feared she might never see her again.

Her fears were heightened after police told her a terrier had been seen near the A303. But happily the following day Linda received a call from the RSPCA in Bath to say Nellie had been recovered in one of the city's less fashionable quarters.

"She was found midnight on Sunday. Perhaps she had been seen on the A303 by someone who thought that's a nice little dog'," said Linda.

"It was very fortunate that she had been microchipped otherwise I don't think I would have seen her again.

"I would advise everyone to have their pet micro-chipped."

Although Nellie is a cute little dog she is not a good traveller so if the dog was sick Linda thinks the driver may have given up and turned her out.

Whatever happened Linda says it's great to have her back but even so the day trip to Bath cost £45 in fees - the cost of a night's stay in the Bath kennels.

But now safely home, the cat flap is firmly out of bounds for Nellie.