POLICE sniffer dog Jake saw action on Saturday night when two men were outside Crocodillos nightclub in Chester-le-Street.

The men, in their early twenties, were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs. They were found to have ecstasy on them and were given a caution.

Jake has been brought in as part of an ongoing police operation involving about a dozen police officers to weed out drug dealers and users.

With his handler PC Alison Smith, Jake underwent a narcotics detection course run at the regional dog training school at Harperley Hall near Crook.

He has been trained to sit down in front of people if he smells drugs on them and will be used to scan queues of people on their way into pubs and clubs.

Insp Dave Marshall said: "We have demonstrated once again that we will not tolerate drugs in Chester-le-Street.

"Anyone who brings drugs into the town will be arrested.

"We're working very closely with the district council and the town's licensees and their door staff to achieve this.

"This is an ongoing operation and similar action will be repeated at a further date."