SAM the super sniffer dog saved the day when a gold locket the size of a halfpenny was lost in Oxfordshire in October 1980.

The off-duty police dog, pictured with trainer PC Tony Blunt, found his walk turned into a treasure hunt when he stumbled across the £150 gold chain and heart-shaped locket.

The item, which also carried some sentimental value, belonged to Mrs Anne Harrowing, of Wheatley, and had been declared missing, last seen by the entrance to Headington Cricket Club in Oxford.

After just four minutes of joining the search the dog, aged six, tracked down the chain and it was returned to its rightful owner.

She said: "It was absolutely fantastic. I never thought I would get it back."