BRIDGWATER police welcomed two new members to the team – springer spaniels Rufus and Ollie.

They will be based at Bridgwater Express centre in Bristol Road and will cover anywhere across Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Constabulary.

Two-year-old Rufus and 21- month-old Ollie have completed a six-week training programme and are now talented at finding cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, amphetamine, ketamine, mephedrone and cannabis.

They will also be able to sniff out cash, firearms and ammunition.

The dogs were donated to the force by members of the public following an appeal for canine volunteers.

Rufus will now live and work with PC Jon Norton and Ollie will live and work with PC Louise Grabham.

Louise said: “They are both amazing dogs and have a desire to work.

“Ollie has an incredible nose and when he puts on his harness for work he quivers with excitement.

“Once the harness comes off at the end of the day he settles back into our family life.”

The spaniels will now work until they are around eight years old, often remaining with their handler after retirement.

Louise added: “We work closely with WAGS, a charity for retired police dogs and they have done some tremendous work for us.”

You can follow Rufus and Ollie’s progress on twitter @ASPoliceDogs or for more information on WAGS visit wagsretiredpolicedogs.org