Police officers in Pembrokeshire now have a new four footed weapon in the fight against illegal drug use in the county.

A Golden Labrador dog by the name of Bill has joined the police dog section and has been trained as a passive line detection dog by his handler, PC Mike Callas.

"The dog is trained to go into crowds of people accompanied by his handler and will indicate those persons believed to be in possession of controlled drugs," Inspector Les Clark, of Tenby police station told the Observer.

"Officers will then be in a position to exercise search powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act to confirm illegal possession," he explained.

On Saturday, uniform officers supported by CID and special constables attended at the Night Owl Club, Penally in a targeted operation aimed at preventing drug abuse.

PC Callas and Bill were present and screened customers as they entered the premises.

The operation was enthusiastically supported by the club management and revellers who turned at the sight of the dog were searched by officers outside the premises.

"The number of arrests as a result of the operation was predictably low," said Insp. Clark.

"However, the deterrent factor of using the line detection dog in this manner is obviously a weapon that officers will adopt on a regular basis at other clubs and premises in the area."

The cost of training the dog has been met by the communities against drugs fund supplied by the Welsh Assembly.