THE future of a North mansion was secured when development plans were approved this week - but the news was not so good for a police force's dog unit.

Major improvements establishing Harperley Hall, near Crook, County Durham as one of the world's leading forensic training centres, will safeguard 50 jobs by keeping the business in the North-East.

But the development has no place for Durham's 40 police dogs and their handlers who have worked from the hall site since the 1960s.

The force yesterday appealed for someone to offer the dogs a new home before they have to leave in July.

Inspector Paul Gee, of the training department, said: "We would appeal to any member of the public, particularly the farming community, or people living in the countryside, to consider offering us help.

"We need to find a temporary base very quickly, but we are also very interested in identifying a more permanent site."

The dog training centre is one of only 12 in the country and has attracted international acclaim.

Inspector Gee said the force could install prefabricated sound-proofed kennels within a suitable barn or farm buildings. Anyone who can help is asked to call the force on 0191-375 2106.

Harperley Hall, a Grade II listed country mansion built in 1785, is run by Centrex, the Central Police Training and Development Authority.

Now that Wear Valley District Council's development control committee has granted planning permission for the development, Centrex will submit a business plan and buy the site from Durham police.