A SIX-YEAR-OLD Labrador dog, Jethro, has been reunited with his owners in Chippenham, following a police chase across two counties.

Jethro was in the back of owner Gary Brenton's van when it was stolen from New Road, Chippenham.

Mr Brenton, 54, who runs North Wiltshire Couriers, had just popped into the chemist, and returned to find the van and Jethro had gone.

"I could not care less about the car but would have been heartbroken to lose Jethro," he said.

"I was worried he might get dumped at the side of the road.

"He is my daughter Samantha's dog and she dotes on him.

"She would have been so upset had we lost him."

Mr Brenton's van, however, was spotted near Ford and Wiltshire police gave chase.

When it crossed the county border Avon and Somerset Police took over the chase, scrambling a police helicopter to keep a vigil overhead.

A man and a woman were eventually arrested in a Kingswood car park and are helping police with their inquiries.

Jethro was returned soon after to his home in Bythebrook, Chippenham, none the worse for the journey.

"It was fantastic to get him back so quickly," said Mr Brenton said.