A RISCA family who fell in love with a dog on holiday in Turkey have finally managed to bring the dog back to the UK.

The Argus reported last September how Deb Edwards, 50, was on holiday with her daughters Jessica, 17, and Lydia, 16, in Marmaris when they met stray terrier Hector, who kept appearing outside their hotel.

The family soon decided they wanted to bring him back to the UK, but needed to raise £3,500 to get him across Europe.

But thanks to the help of Mountain Ash resident Avril Simms, who has previously helped rescue dogs from overseas, the Edwards raised the cash through raffles, car boot sales and donations.

After being microchipped, wormed and flead in Turkey, Hector was transferred in to a Bulgarian quarantine kennels in November where he stayed for eight months.

Then three weeks ago he finally made the long journey back to the UK by road, travelling for three days through eight countries to meet his delighted new owners.

Mrs Edwards said Hector has settled in well to his new home, and gets on well with the Edwards' other two dogs, wheaten terrier Daisy, and jack russell Molly.

Mrs Edwards said: "It's as though he's always been here.

"He's such a loving dog, and he's just so grateful and happy. Everybody has been waiting for him, and he was well worth the wait."