Unusual footage has emerged of a 72-year-old woman searching for her lost dog with the help of an LED screen on an advertising van.

The video, filmed in Zhengzhou, Henan Province last Tuesday, shows a large white van playing a loop of her 'lost dog' ad on its video screen.

The whole family has reportedly swung into action to help with the heartbreaking loss with more than 20 family members joining the search.

The dog's owner is a widow whose husband passed away several years ago and who raised the dog to keep her company. Her pet is believed to have been abducted after being lured away by a stranger, captured on CCTV which is included in her ad.

The owner's son hasn't worked for over a week while he helps with the search and one relative has reportedly asked for a month off work.