A DISTRAUGHT family whose dog has been missing for more than six weeks are continuing a regionwide appeal to find their beloved pet.

Izzy, a five and a half-year-old sandy-coloured cockerpoo, disappeared from the Barratt estate in Outwood Road, Radcliffe on February 16 after builders let themselves into Ian and Dawn Purvis’ property.

Since then, the family have enlisted the help of thousands of followers online and pet campaign group Harvey’s Army to help find Izzy.

A Facebook page set up to help with the search has more than 3,000 likes and caring volunteers have helped distribute 10,000 leaflets across Greater Manchester.

Mr and Mrs Purvis and their two daughters, Lauren, aged 14, and nine-year-old Eve, have thanked their legions of supporters and are still hopeful of bringing Izzy home. and have offered a reward.

Mr Purvis said: “The community in Bury and across Greater Manchester has been absolutely amazing.

“People we don’t even know from all over have been coming down and helping for free on their own time.

“I’m hopeful, but the difficulty as time goes on is that she could get further and further afield.

“Everybody says to keep hoping but it’s difficult sometimes.

“You do hear of dogs coming back after years and years sometimes, but it can be hard to stay positive.”

Izzy was wearing a pink collar when she disappeared, and has been spotted in Outwood Road and Ringley Road and in the Sergeants Lane estate and Park Lane areas of Whitefield.

Mr Purvis, who works for a membership activity company in Manchester, added: “My daughters are in tears, and we’re not really living a life.

“I get up in the morning and go out looking for her, then do the same thing when we come back from work.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone – it’s such an upsetting and stressful situation.

“Until you have been in this situation you don’t appreciate the trauma that it causes to a family.”

Anyone with information should call 07961559230 or 07956034522.

For more details: go to facebook.com/HelpfindIzzyWizz