YOUNG animal lovers across the Vale of Evesham are being invited to enter West Mercia Constabulary's Pup Idol competition to name its latest four-legged recruit.

The eight-week-old liver and white Springer Spaniel puppy has joined around 60 other dogs based at headquarters near Worcester and around the force area.

And in a first for the force, West Mercia is inviting youngsters to name the puppy, with a chance to meet the new recruit and get a tour of the dog section for the winner.

Sergeant Ian Jones of the dog section said: "The handler who will have responsibility for the dog normally chooses the name, unless the dog already happens to have a name when it comes to us. However, this time we thought it would be nice to invite young people living in the force area to put their thinking caps on and come up with a few ideas.

"The young person who submits the winning name will be invited to come to headquarters to tour the dog section."

The competition is open to five to 16-year-olds living within the force area who are asked to email the chosen name together with their own name, address and a contact name and number for a parent or guardian to pup.idol@westmercia-.pnn.police.uk.

The closing date for entries, which are limited to one a child, is noon on Friday, July 21. For more details visit West Mercia Constabulary's website at www.westmercia.police.uk.