AN unwanted mongrel rescued from kennels has become the latest recruit in the fight against drugs in the region.

Scruff is Northumbria Police's third drugs detection dog.

Sergeant Larry Straker, of the force's dog section, said: "Scruff has taken to training superbly, there have been no problems at all.

"He's a lovely-natured dog and one you really become attached to. I think if he didn't make the grade during training, we would have taken him home, but as luck would have it he's been fine.

"For this type of work we've deliberately chosen dogs which are non-threatening, as the vast majority of public are innocent."

Scruff is about 12 months old and is a cross between a collie and a terrier.

The dog was found as a stray in North Shields. He was underweight, with a skin condition and was handed into Benton Cat and Dog Shelter.

When Scruff was spotted as a potential recruit, Northumbria Police took him from the shelter and made a £75 donation.

He joins fellow rescue dogs Bouncer, a mongrel, and Mickey, a spaniel.

The animals have been taught to sniff out drugs such as heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and amphetamines.

They sniff the air around an individual and will indicate when someone is carrying controlled drugs, which gives police officers the reasonable suspicion they need to search them.

The animals will be used at Newcastle Airport, North Shields ferry terminal and among nightclub queues.

Scruff lives with handler PC Rob Evans, who is based at Southwick police station, in Sunderland, and also has a general purpose police dog called Taz.