JOY has returned to a family grieving for their baby boy... in the form of their beloved dog Leon.

The cute cavalier King Charles spaniel was stolen from the Letch family's home last week and now thanks to an Echo appeal, he's back.

The family's three young girls - Georgia, six, Ellie-Mai, five, and 18-month-old Sasha - were heartbroken when he disappeared as he was bought following the death of their five-and-a-half-week old brother in December.

Mum Charlotte Letch, 27, of Great Ranton, Felmores, Basildon, said: "We were relieved and excited to get him back.

"We got licked to death at the door.

"We're just so glad to have him back."

Mrs Letch said Leon had disappeared from the back yard last Friday.

Since then they had done everything they could to get him back, including lining the surrounding streets with posters and calling the Echo.

She said a couple, who had bought Leon from people they knew, had read the story in the paper and decided to see if they had been sold a stolen dog by having Leon's microchip checked at the vet.

Mrs Letch said when they realised they had been duped, they decided to return Leon to his rightful owners. She said: "The couple were nice people.

"They had grown really attached to Leon in the short time they had been with him and they were hoping he would be their family pet.

"I feel really sorry for them to be in this situation."

Mrs Letch said while police were investigating the matter, she was happy to have the puppy back.

She added: "I'm not letting him out of my sight now.

"He's been given treats, bones, pats and God knows what else.

"He's just one of those dogs that rolls over for a belly rub and is really loving. We're very grateful."