Former Big Brother contestant and glamour model Nicola Tappenden has lost her Twinkle - her pet dog who has been missing since Monday evening.

The 27-year-old, who appeared in this year’s celebrity Big Brother alongside Vinnie Jones and Alex Reid, said she has been “beside herself” since the dog, a Pomeranian and chihuahua cross, hopped out of the boot of his dog walker's car and ran off in Pounds Lane, Epsom, on Monday night about 7.30pm.

The model, known as Nicola T, has offered a £1,000 reward for safe return of the treasured dog and her footballer fiance Simon Walton, 22, who plays for Plymouth Argyle, has cancelled a trip to Spain to help the search.

The mother-of-one, who has been scouring streets in the area, putting up posters an handing out flyers, said: “I am beside myself with worry. He is such a nervous dog and the thought of him all alone at night is terrifying.

I hope someone has taken him in and is looking after him. Please look out for him.”

Anyone with information on Twinkle should call the newsdesk on 020 8330 9533.