A dog who went missing at Heathrow Airport before boarding a flight to Australia, has been found almost a week later in a Bedfont garden.

Stella, a five-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch, escaped from the animal reception in terminal four on Monday, July 16, as staff opened her travel kennel to take her for a last walk before putting her on the plane.

She bolted and made off through the industrial units towards the Stanwell area.

Stella's owner, Kate Dawson, had flown to Sydney the day before to start a new life there with her fiancé, and after 30 hours in the air, got on the next flight to the UK after receiving a message on touchdown that Stella had gone missing.

A search for the pooch ensued for almost a week, with Kate's mum, Sue, heading up the hunt with the help of doglost.co.uk, while her daughter travelled home.

Posters were put up and gun dogs joined in the search for the missing canine by following her scent.

On Sunday, Sonny and Rachel Sharma of West Road, Bedfont, noticed a frightened Stella hiding under a bush in their garden and aware of what to do called on neighbours Moss and Ann Witham, who fundraise for animal charities.

Mr and Mrs Witham began asking neighbours and dog walkers if they had heard of anyone who had lost a Rhodesian Ridgeback until they stumbled upon one of the posters. The couple called the animal reception and within half an hour Kate and Stella were reunited.

Mr Witham, 54, said: "20 minutes later we had a Disney film ending. Kate got half-way down the garden and the dog, which had been shaking under the bush, came bounding up the garden a completely different dog. It was absolutely brilliant. I love a happy ending."

Stella was very weak and dehydrated but is now being nursed back to health.

Kate, 30, from Newmarket, said: "The community around the Stanwell, Bedfont and Ashford area have been amazing, I would like to thank everyone who has helped. She means everything to me and I'm so thankful to have her back."

Kate is now reconsidering her move down under.