Northumbria Police used two newly-trained dogs on the streets of Newcastle for the first time on Monday night.

Referred to as Passive Alert Narcotics Detection Animals (Pandas), the aim is to crack down on class A drugs.

No arrests were made but police said the scheme would be extended to other areas of the region.

They are very good at what they do and have never failed yet to indicate somebody Sgt Dave Surtees

Newcastle city centre is popular with clubbers and police say they are determined to reduce the availability of drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

The force's two "Panda" dogs are trained to detect a range of substances, including the so-called date rape drug rohipnol.

Sergeant Dave Surtees, who was in charge of the operation, said: "Basically, the dog is trained to smell the air around a person and detect if drugs are there.

"The dogs will indicate drugs on people for up to 48 hours .

"So if a person has had cannabis in their pockets, two days later, if they have the same coat on and it has not been washed, the dog will pick it up.

"They are very good at what they do and have never failed yet to indicate somebody.

"Drugs is an issue we take very seriously and we will use any method available to us to reduce their availability on the streets."

The force's two dogs - named Bouncer and Scruff - are also to be used in school searches and at airports.