A mother is desperately hoping that her family pet returns before her autistic son realises he is missing.

Rex the six-month-old american bulldog has been missing from the family home in Bradwell since Wednesday.

The puppy is a registered autism support dog for Mrs Wood’s five-year-old son Tim.

Mrs Wood, a teaching assistant, said: “We’ve had Rex since he was eight weeks old and he is a lovely friendly dog.

“He was Tim’s dog, he doesn’t know yet, we are trying to keep him out of the house and keep him busy and hoping Rex turns up, otherwise I’ll have to tell him that Rex has gone on holiday.”

Rex is a microchipped, white american bulldog with black spots around his mouth.

If anyone sees him please call Mari Wood on 07563 179 871.