The dogs are on a 13-week training course

The exercise is being run by Durham Police to prove the animals have the right temperament for operational duties.

The aim is to get the German Shepherds, who will be with their handlers, used to the helicopter.

The force's dog training supervisor Paul Hedges said: "There are times now where we have had to lift German Shepherd dogs over some distance and varying terrain.

"We need to know how the dogs are going to react when they see the helicopter.

"One important feature is the handlers know how to board the helicopter safely in an incident where they might be picked up at a moment's notice."

The dogs are just over a year old and are eight weeks into a 13-week training course.

Mr Hedges said the helicopter training is done very gently in stages so the dogs are not alarmed but he said they find they usually take to it quite well.