Scores of people who helped search for a missing dog have raised hundreds of pounds to aid other search parties.

Lily, a German shepherd, panicked and disappeared just hours after being given a home in Coggeshall Road, Bradwell, by Lena Baldwin last month.

Hundreds of people, including people as far away as Canada, came forward to offer their support and a regular group of volunteers searched the land surrounding the A120 near Bradwell, Coggeshall and Surrex high and low to coax Lily home.

However, due to her timid nature, the four-year-old ran away once she heard anyone nearby.

Sadly Mrs Baldwin, 40, later announced that Lily, who had been previously seen running towards the railway at Kelvedon, was killed after she was hit by a train.

However villagers’ generosity has meant that there is a happy ending to the tragic story, after more than £300 was raised.

Mrs Baldwin said: “Initially we started a collection as someone suggested to get a humane trap for Lily but then someone kindly donated the traps.

“Since then, lots of people have kindly donated £334."

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.