Police dog and sergeant celebrate 'dream' title win

Sgt Dalrymple said he was "flabbergasted" when he heard the pair had won the competition for a third time

A police dog and her handler have become the first to win a dog trial competition three times in a "dream come true".

Sergeant Nick Dalrymple and his dog Eva triumphed at the National Police Dog Trials again this year.

The pair, who work for Avon and Somerset Police, have been together for the last five years.

Sgt Darlymple said training for the competition is never hard work for Eva as "it's always play".

The trials, held between 20 and 24 May at the Police Scotland College in Tulliallan, involved multiple tests including tracking, searching, crowd control, finding a hidden suspect, agility, obedience and biting.

Mr Dalrymple said he had to "work hard" to gain Eva's (left) trust at the start

"You're all at the pinnacle of performance in the competition," Sgt Darlymple said.

"But it's never work for the dogs, it's always play - and she loves it."

He said when he first met Eva she showed signs of " stress" from whatever past life she had which meant he had to work hard to gain her trust.

"She wasn’t particularly happy," he said.

"We don’t know her history, but I don't think she'd had a positive one."

Mr Dalrymple said the competition will be the pair's last before he retires next year

He said he took her home and worked with her gradually, eventually realising she was a very "clever dog".

"We just hit it off," Sgt Darlymple said. "We're now best mates and I spend more time with her than I do with my wife.

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted really, and amazed that we've won again.

"If you could have a dream come true, this is it," he added.