A dog owner is organising a march in a bid to track down her much-loved missing pet, who is believed to have been living wild for more than a year.

China, a rescue dog from Spain, ran off after being “spooked” on a walk in Martlesham, way back on January 4, 2017.

Since then, owner Mel Perry and volunteers have been desperately trying to get him safely home. However, despite many sightings, he is still missing.

Mel is urging anyone who sees China to let her know, but not to approach him, as he is very timid and may run into the road.

“He somehow got off his lead and got away on a little walk late at night,” Mel said. “He is still in the area - we get sightings regularly.”

She said a national team had been helping to look for him, and a special Facebook page had been set up. However, more sightings are still needed to build up a pattern of his movements.

China spent four years in a rescue centre in Spain before he was brought to the UK in 2015. He was seven years old on Christmas Day. He is described as being the height of a collie and having the build of a lurcher.

Volunteers have been putting up flyers with photos of China, but Mel said unfortunately somebody had been taking them down, and this could mean some people wrongly think he has been found.

A march through Martlesham is being organised to publicise the search, starting from Kesgrave Kitchen at 12noon on May 13. Volunteers will also be taking flyers to a fun day at the RSPCA centre in Martlesham on May 27.

If you see China, you are asked to contact Mel by calling 07817 776280.