STANLEY police station is not where most of us would wish to spend a cold night in December.

But, for four hungry puppies on the point of freezing to death, it was doggie heaven as they were spoilt by officers on the nightshift.

The pups were found by a member of the public under a hedge near Leadgate Junior School, in Leadgate, Consett, County Durham, last Wednesday night.

Derwentside police took them in and handed them to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the following morning.

Eventually they were taken to Deerness Boarding Kennels, in Langley Moor.

"They are doing very well," said Kevin Forsyth, of the kennels. "They have plenty of life about them and I just hope someone comes in to offer them a good home."

Mr Forsyth can be contacted on 0191-378 0439