Two police pooches and their officers have scooped eight of nine prizes up for grabs at a regional competition.

PCs Rob Male and Simon Boylett from Surrey Police, with their dogs Apollo and Allie, won the prizes at the South East Regional Dog Trials which were held last weekend.

PC Male, who works in West Surrey, and Apollo, one of the Mallinois dogs bred by the force, took first place with an amazing 895 points out of a possible 1,000.

They were followed closely by PC Boylett, who works in East Surrey, with his Mallinois called Allie who scored 890 points.

The dogs and their trainers will be competing at the National Dog Trials in May, in Lincolnshire.

PC Andy Mansbridge, regional trials organiser, said: “A score of 800 or above is considered to be excellent and the only reason they didn’t win the ninth prize was because it was for third place and they came first and second. It was a terrific performance.”

The trials took place over three days and included an hour and a half tracking exercise over a variety of terrains, a search for hidden property and a timed search of a two storey building, as well as a full programme of obedience, agility and criminal work on the sports field.

Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Kirkby said: “This is an outstanding achievement by Rob and Simon who came first and second in every single part of the competition. I’m proud that they will be representing Surrey – and the whole of the South East Region – in the National Trials.”