A police hunt in Wigan for a puppy who was stolen from a girl while she played in her garden has ended happily after the pet was located by officers.

Greater Manchester Police officers had said four-month-old Dotty was snatched while the girl sat on swings in her garden in Moor Road in Orrell at 6.50pm on Saturday.

A Facebook post was shared more than 7,000 times.

But in an update subsequently posted on Sunday evening, officers said: “Following on from yesterday’s social media post regarding the theft of a dog in Orrell we are happy to confirm that the dog has now been located.

Many thanks for sharing the post.”