Merlot, an English springer-spaniel imprisoned in a seaside quarantine has been freed thanks to the Croydon Guardian.

The 20-month-old pooch was nabbed by customs officials as she made her way home from a family trip to the Bordeaux region of France.

Merlot’s owner, Mandy Douglas, 44, had a microchip implanted in the puppy as part of her pet passport scheme but when customs officials scanned the chip, it was found to be malfunctioning.

After weeks of waiting in limbo the chip was finally repaired and the information regarding Merlot’s pet passport could be obtained.

Mrs Douglas said: “We’re absolutely delighted and we’ve had a really good response from the article.”

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South said: “I am absolutely delighted to hear that Merlot has now been reunited with her owners.”

“Merlot was freed after the microchip, which had to be surgically removed from her, was finally read by the manufacturer in Spain.

“Had the manufacturer not been able to do this, Merlot was facing a six month spell behind bars.

“Sadly this is not a one-off occurrence.

“Microchips in pets can and do fail from time to time and I have written to DEFRA to seek some flexibility where an alternative positive identification of a pet is available.”