A distraught family has been having sleepless nights since their beloved pet dog disappeared on Sunday afternoon.

Izzy, a Ruby King Charles Spaniel, disappeared from her home in High Street, London Colney, after getting out of the garden without the family realising.

Her owner Bonnie Elstar and her three children have hunted high and low for Izzy since then but without success.

Izzy has managed to get out of the garden before but has always been returned immediately but since she vanished in the darkness on Sunday, she has not been seen.

Bonnie described Izzy, who is two years old and has been with the family for the past four months, as very sociable.

A funeral was being held in the next door property on Sunday and she thinks Izzy might have found a way through to the adjoining garden to see what was going on but nobody there had seen her.

Since the dog’s disappearance, Bonnie has been driving all around looking for her with her other dog Buddy in the car.

She has posted Izzy’s disappearance on Facebook as well as phoning local vets – Izzy is microchipped – contacting the RSPCA and the Lost Dogs website.

Bonnie said: “She is tiny and has a really placid temperament.

“None of us have been sleeping properly since she disappeared,” she added.

A reward is being offered for Izzy’s safe return and anyone who has seen her or can help is asked to contact Bonnie on 07916 284637.