CLEVELAND Police have launched a major hunt - for four-legged recruits to fill a vacancy in the dog section.

The search is on for German shepherds, between one and two years old, and are "bold, outgoing and confident".

PC Colin Skelton said: "It is very difficult to find the right dog with the qualities we are looking for.

"Our usual sources have completely dried up, but hopefully some members of the public will be able to help us out.

"It may well be people have dogs they are finding hard to control, or animals that have too much energy for them. They are the ones that could be ideal for us. We are happy to travel anywhere in the region to look at suitable animals."

Successful applicants will be allocated to a police dog handler and live with him at home.

Anyone who has a German shepherd they think may be suitable is asked to ring the dog section on (01642) 301802.