The three-year-old Labrador is a top sniffer

In the last 10 years the number of fires started deliberately have doubled, with an alarming increase in the number of schools being targeted.

Fudge, a three-year-old chocolate Labrador is the first fire service sniffer dog in the region.

Officials in the East Midlands hope she will be the first of many dogs to work in such an important field.

The BBC followed her on a training day at Arnold Hill Comprehensive School in Nottingham which recently burnt down.

Fudge wears special protective boots

Fudge wears protective boots to keep her safe. Even though the fire is out she may cut her feet on glass in the burnt out building.

Handler, Dave Coss, from Mansfield said: "She's got about 25 different smells in her vocabulary that she can detect if they've been used in a fire.

"If I can light it with a match and cause a fire then she can detect it."

Officials say they hope the dog will be a deterrent to would-be arsonists and also detect any crimes that take place.

Chris Smith, Arson Control Officer said: "We may well get several dogs working across the East Midlands.

"Although Fudge is the first, we're hopeful this will be the start of the process."