POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a seven-month-old puppy was knocked over and killed in Bishop Auckland on Tuesday.

The Golden Retriever, which was training to be a guide dog for the blind, escaped through an insecure gate and ran into the traffic on Durham Road, where it was hit by a car at about 2.40pm.

Police say the animal's trainer heard a thud and yelp, and found the puppy lying in the middle of the road with the traffic at a standstill.

The driver of a black vehicle spoke to the trainer, and said he had noted the offending vehicle's registration but no details were passed on, as the trainer rushed the puppy to the vets, where it later died.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0345-60-60-365.