ANIMAL lovers in Preston will be pleased to hear that Lancashire Constabulary has put animal welfare high on its agenda.

The constabulary's dog training centre was given the all clear to take rescue dogs donated by the National Canine Defence League after specially appointed members of the public made successful spot checks on the force's dogs.

The checks were done as part of a new scheme by the NCDL who stoppped rehoming dogs to the police three years ago amid concerns about the way the Force treated them.

But during this time, the rescue centre has worked closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers in assisting with the new national dog strategy and lay visitors scheme.

And as a result of Lancashire Police's successful spot checks, two German Shepherds, called TJ and Zak, will be the force's first four-legged friends to be invited for assessment from the NCDL, with the hope that they will both become operational police dogs.

Richard Moore, of the NCDL, Merseyside, where the two dogs came from, said: "TJ and Zak are both bright dogs who deserve the chance to show what they can do.

"Obviously they wouldn't be in this fantastic position if it wasn't for the pilot lay visitors scheme in Lancashire."

Ian Dickinson, of Lancashire Police Authority, said: "Our animal lay visitors scheme has proved a great success and we are obviously delighted that the NCDL has decided to offer us these dogs.

"Animal welfare is very important to the authority and we have some very dedicated lay visitors supervising our scheme."

Mr Dickinson added that they were always on the look out for more volunteers to assist in increasing the number of visits to the centre and anyone interested should contact him at county hall on 01772 263462.

The NCDL are so impressed with the success of the new scheme that they hope it will be adopted by force's nationwide.