LANCASHIRE Constabulary's youngest recruit has already won the heart of the chief constable.

For Meg, a seven-month-old German Shepherd, is the face of the constabulary's Christmas card -- a role that has to be officially approved by Chief Constable Pauline Clare.

And her Meg-nificent features will be landing on three thousand doormats across the country this Christmas.

But as a police dog, Meg has always been a star to Sergeant John Dean, who has looked after her since she was a pup.

"She lives with me and my family and comes to work with me every day and goes home again at night.

"Although it's early days yet she has the makings of being an excellent police dog."

Sergeant Dean also has a six-year-old Springer at home which is an explosives detection dog. "Meg gets on with him great," he said: "And she follows my four-year-old daughter round everywhere -- two girls together."

It is Meg's playful personality and puppy dog looks that won her the role as the face of this year's constabulary Christmas card.

At just ten weeks old Meg was caught on camera enjoying a well-earned rest on a hot summers day.

Months later the photograph was spotted by police graphics supervisor Johanna Duckworth who digitally placed the image onto a wintery scene -- to give the card a Christmas feel. And Sgt Dean is over-the-moon with the finished result. "I think she looks wonderful," he said. "The wife and child think so to. She's great."

As part of her training, Meg is expected to join a course next October next year as part of her initial training as a fully-fledged police dog.

And according to Sgt Dean she is already on her way to passing the training course with flying colours.

"I'll know more by the time she's one," he said. "She's got a great temperament and is a very approachable dog when people come to play with her, although she will bark when we want her to as well."

Now Sgt Dean, who heads the constabulary's Dog Training unit, in Lindle Lane, Hutton, is on the hunt for more like Meg to boost the numbers of big dogs in the force.

He said: "Dogs like Meg will be trained and used by police officers for general purpose police work.

"And although we have enough small dogs we could do with more of the German Shepherd or Springer types.

"Ideally the dogs should be aged between one and two years old and have to be a friendly, approachable dog who is willing to play with toys and games like tug-of-war."

If you have a dog you think fits the bill as a police dog call Sgt John Dean on 618412.