A fundraising page has been set up in memory of a dog who touched people’s hearts before she was killed on the A127 days before Christmas.

The pug-beagle cross, Luna, went missing from the Pets at Home in Pitsea on December 7.

Her owner, Michelle Hales, from Canvey, had been appealing for help to reunite them before Christmas after there were sightings in Pitsea, Canvey, Basildon and Vange.

Tilly’s Angels dog search team helped look for Luna, along with other concerned members of the public.

Luna was on her way to the vets after a recent operation when she escaped her collar. She was missing for 15 days before a taxi driver spotted her at 3.30am on December 22.

He called Michelle and after hours of searching she received a call that Luna had been killed in a car crash.

Some 1,249 residents joined a Facebook group dedicated to finding Luna.

A friend of Michelle confirmed the news of Luna’s death on the page and said: “We have received the most awful news possible. Luna has been found deceased on the A127.”

The funds raised from the JustGiving page will enable the family to choose a personal memorial for Luna. So far donations have reached £380.

Michelle said: “I just want to thank each and everyone of you for all your lovely messages. I also want to thank everyone who shared Luna’s post over the past two weeks, it really did make a difference.

“Thank you to everyone who kept a look out for Luna and put posters up to help us out. Lastly I want to thank Tilly’s Angels and their volunteers. Without these people I would have been on my own and they have showed me and my dogs love and support throughout.”