A dog who was found abandoned on the A66 near Darlington has been given a loving new home by a police officer.

Narla the dog was left in kennels for weeks after she was rescued by police officer Sergeant Smith dashing between traffic in early October.

She was taken back into the van by the officer to keep her out of harm's way and a desperate appeal began to locate her owners.

The moment Narla was rescued.The moment Narla was rescued. (Image: DARLINGTON POLICE) Nobody came forward to claim her - until fellow officer PCSO Kim Harrison stepped up and decided to give Narla a fur-ever home on Wednesday (November 13).

Heart-warming pictures included in the post show a very happy and playful-looking Narla lying on her new bed with a collection of toys.

Narla the dog with her new toys.Narla the dog with her new toys. (Image: DARLINGTON POLICE) Darlington Police wrote: "If you missed it, back in October, Sgt. Smith rescued a lost dog from the side of the road, who has since been identified through her ID chip as ‘Narla’.

"Despite countless efforts by Andy the Dog Warden to trace her original owners, no one came forward to claim her. Stuck in the kennels for weeks, the future was looking bleak for Narla.

Narla the dog.Narla the dog. (Image: DARLINGTON POLICE)

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"But that's not where her story ends! We're thrilled to share that Narla has found a loving new home with our very own PCSO Kim Harrison!

"A huge thank you to Sgt. Smith for his quick thinking at the time, to Andy the Dog Warden for his persistence and dedication and to PCSO Kim Harrison for providing Narla with her forever home.

"We love a happy ending."