Lincolnshire Police will be hosting the National Police Dog Trials starting tomorrow.

This is a particularly special event as this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the National Police Dog Trials.

Police dogs and their handlers provide a vital support to operational policing and the Trials provide an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate their skills and professionalism. The aim of the Trials is to encourage the professional development of police dog handling, to share good practice amongst British police forces and to provide the general public with the chance to see the top dog teams compete against each other in a variety of disciplines.

This year there are 23 competitors from all over the country and Northern Ireland. Lincolnshire Dog Handler, PC Robert Newham and his dog, Razor, a German Shepard cross with a Malinois, will be competing and representing the force. PC Newham and Razor successfully qualified at the Regional Trials, held in South Yorkshire on the 29th - 31st March 2010.

The final day of the National Trials on Sunday 9th May 2010 coincides with the Lincolnshire Police Force Open Day and it is anticipated that it will attract a good attendance from the public.

The public can watch the Dog Trials at Lincolnshire Police HQ on the following days:

• Friday 7th May - 09:00 to 15:00
• Saturday 8th May - 09:00 to 15:00
• Sunday 9th May - 09:00-16:00 (finals at Police Open Day)

Note: only the phase 3 (Obedience, Man Work & Crowd Control) part of the competition can be viewed by the public because phase 1 and 2 activities need to be held in a 'sterile' environment.

The presenting officers to this year's Trial winners will be the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr John Godfrey and Mr Stanley Peck, founder of the National Police Dog Trials in 1963.