A FAMILY were disturbed halfway through their dinner after discovering a strange man in their hallway - who claimed to have lost his dog.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the suspected burglary attempt at the house on Rodborough Common at 5.45pm on August 26.

When challenged by the householder, the man said he was "looking for his dog."

He then left the property with a second man, who hadn't entered the house, and walked out on to National Trust common land.

The man spoke with a foreign accent; he is aged about 50, 5' 9" tall, of stocky build and wearing grey trousers.

Police believe the men intended to burgle the property and may have had a vehicle parked in the car park on Rodborough Common.

Anyone with information or who may have seen these men in the vicinity is urged to call 101 quoting incident number 357 of August 26.