AN all-black police dog has been issued with a special reflective collar to make it more visible at night.

Despite impressing experts at the regional police dog training centre, at Harperley Hall, near Crook, to pass an initial course, Ricky the German shepherd's striking colour presented its handler with a problem.

PC Colin Gash, who underwent the training alongside the 14-month-old dog, kept losing sight of Ricky during night operations.

He said: "When I let him off the leash on a dark night, he simply disappeared into the gloom.

"After that, I was left guessing as to where he was."

To combat the problem, Ricky, Durham Constabulary's first all-black dog for several years, has been issued with a collar made of the same yellow and silver reflective material used in police waterproofs.

PC Gash said: "Thanks to the collar, I'll now be able to spot him when I release him for operational police work.

"He's a huge dog, quite an imposing animal.

"But he's mild mannered and bright. I am sure he will be a real asset to the force.