SIX tiny puppies have been left orphaned after their mother was killed by a hit-and-run stolen taxi in Tupsley.

Lizzie the cocker spaniel was struck late on Sunday night by the runaway vehicle, which had been snatched from outside a shop in Whitecross Road.

Her distraught owners - Amanda Amos and eight-year-old son William - are now hand-rearing the three dogs and three bitches by hand.

"We're all very upset, Lizzie was a lovely dog and she had just given birth," said Amanda. "William was walking her at the time - would these people have stopped if they had hit him?"

The taxi was later found abandoned in Belmont. Hereford police confirmed that they were 'investigating an incident' and appealed for witnesses.