Two brothers had their cars stolen on the same day in a series of coincidences described by police as less likely than winning the lottery.

Stephen Howard's H-reg VW Jetta was stolen from Tropical World at Roundhay Park in Leeds and dumped 12 miles away in a pub car park at Burley-in-Wharfedale.

And minutes later his brother Andy's Ford Escort - containing pet cocker spaniel Millie - was taken from the same pub car park as he sat inside enjoying a meal with his family.

Today Sergeant John Chambers, of Ilkley police, said: "In nearly 30 years service I've never heard of anything like this happening before.

"It's an extremely unusual set of circumstances and they've been very unlucky - I'd have thought you'd have more chance of winning the lottery than have this happen.''

The drama began while Stephen, 38, his wife Gill and two daughters were visiting Tropical World. After an hour the family returned to find the Jetta missing.

Meanwhile Andy, 35, his wife Diane and their two young daughters had popped into the Generous Pioneer pub in their home village of Burley-in-Wharfedale after an afternoon walk, leaving their black Ford Escort outside.

Three-quarters of an hour later they discovered their car - and dog - had been taken and actually remarked that the Jetta dumped nearby looked just like Stephen's.

The staggering coincidence came to light the following day when Andy rang his brother to tell him about their missing car and pet, later reunited with the family after being found in Leeds. Legal executive Andy's car was written off in an accident a few days later but his insurance company has paid out and he has just taken possession of a VW Polo.

He said: "I thought at first it was Stephen's car but didn't know his registration and thought 'that's ridiculous, there's no way it could be' and forgot about it."

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