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

For the first time West Mercia is inviting youngsters to choose the name of the eight-week-old springer spaniel puppy with a tour of the police's 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.

"Police dogs have to be given short and of course non-controversial names.

Examples of names already in use include Storm, Jake, Max, Shadow, Trigger and Merlin.

"The young person who submits the winning name will be invited to come to headquarters with a friend and parent or guardian to tour the dog section, including the chance to meet the puppy, and see the older dogs being put through their paces in training."

Kennel assistant Kate Tipping added: "We decided to call the competition Pup Idol because our little spaniel has real star quality."

The competition is open to five to 16-year-olds who are asked to e-mail the chosen name, 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 is noon on Friday, July 21, and entries are limited to one per child.