A former stray has completed its first year as an operational police dog after training to sniff out cash, drugs and ammunition .

Orla, a springer spaniel border collie cross, has been involved in a number of searches and located ammunition rounds after a shooting in Chigwell since being given to Essex Police’s dog unit.

She was donated as a rescue gift dog after being found underweight and ridden with fleas.

The four-year-old bitch was nursed back to health by staff at the dog unit kennels before being paired with handler PC Paul Arthey in December 2014.

Six months later she became a fully-fledged police dog, licensed to search and detect drugs, including heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA and cannabis.

She can also sniff out cash, weapons, their components parts and both fired and unfired ammunition.

In her first year as an operational police dog, Orla has completed 72 searches and discovered more than £24,000 in cash which was later seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

She has also detected class A drugs, leading to the arrest and conviction of offenders.

Orla’s handler, PC Arthey said: “Orla is a natural police dog.

"She’s had a really productive first year and I’m very proud of her.

“It has taken a lot of patience and affection but she has come such a long way.

“When I watch Orla in action now, it’s almost impossible to remember her as the underweight and flea-ridden dog I first met.

“She is now well-settled into her new life and lives happily at home with my German shepherd Niko and is always ready to go to work.”