A CAR was stolen from a shopping centre yesterday - with the owners' beloved 15-year-old dog in it.

The owners, Valerie and John Cole, are appealing for information after their much-loved Yorkshire Terrier - named Penny - went missing with their C-registration car.

Thieves stole the Vauxhall Astra from the Cleveland Centre car park, in Middlesbrough, yesterday, while the couple were shopping.

Police believe that the dog was still in the car when the thieves drove off in it.

Mr and Mrs Cole, of Billingham, Teesside, were given Penny when she was two years old by someone who was dying of cancer and was struggling to look after her.

Mrs Cole, 42, said: "We are devastated. We don't care about the car, because it can be replaced. We just want Penny back - she is irreplaceable.

"She is a very friendly dog, but I think she would have barked at any thieves. I am terrified what they are going to do to her.

"All I can think is that the thieves did not notice that she was there. She has the run of the estate car and she is tiny - only about 12 inches long."

Penny has a hernia on her stomach and all her teeth are missing, but she is described as "sprightly" for her age.

Cleveland Police are keeping a lookout for the dog, and have notified the dog warden.

Security camera footage was checked, but it is believed that the camera was pointing in the opposite direction to the car when it was stolen.

The car, with the registration number C882 WVN, was stolen between 2pm and 3.20pm.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Middlesbrough police on (01642) 303126.