Two British teachers have been detained in Oman for attempting to rescue “abused dogs”, according to family.

Jennifer Green, 33, and a female friend who were working as English language teachers for the British Council in the Omani capital Muscat, are accused of stealing the dogs from their owner.

Mike Green, of County Durham, said the women were trying to “save two mistreated dogs” who had been left out in “scorching” heat.

He claimed they were initially released by police after agreeing to pay the dogs' owner £4,000 but that when it went to court the judge called for a further investigation because he thought they had been drinking.

He said Ms Green and the other woman, whose name has not been released, were then charged with drink driving and public intoxication, which he said was “without evidence”.

“I'm worried sick,” he told The Sun. “She's being locked up in prison for the last twelve days and because it's Ramadan, nothing is happening.”

Ms Green, who has been in Oman for more than a year, was said not to have been initially concerned.