POLICE dogs from Preston are working hard to prevent young people from falling into the drugs trap.

But they aren't working close to home, they've travelled to South America to join the fight against cocaine and cannabis trafficking.

Chief trainer Phil Williams is going to Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay this week to assess the dogs already supplied by Lancashire Constabulary.

In Paraguay he will judge whether they need a refresher course and in Bolivia and Peru where the dogs are ready to retire, he will arrange for further support.

Insp Williams explained how the local force became involved: "The project was started by the Americans who trained dogs for police and customs officials in Malaysia. Demand for the training was so great they invited us to help and we now deal with countries all over the world."

Dogs from Lancashire have been exported to Africa, Russia and the Americas, initially financed by Britain but recently international agencies have paid the bills.

As they are police animals, they don't have to go into quarantine but often need a rabies jab.

They are mainly gun dogs such as springer spaniels and Labradors although occasionally golden retrievers and shepherd dogs are used. And Insp Williams said there was always a shortage of dogs for this type of work so if anyone has a pet they no longer want should call the Hutton-based Training Centre on 01772-614444.

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