TWO long-serving search dogs who joined Calder Valley Search And Rescue Team more than a decade ago have retired.

Nell, handled by David, joined CVSRT in 2006, and Pepper, handled by Ellie joined the following year.

The canine pair have been instrumental in helping the team locate a number of missing people.

David said: “Nell has been a fantastic dog to train and work. Inevitably, it’s a bit sad when the decision has to be made to let her retire.

“A very special bond develops between a handler and a working dog and I’ll remember the highlights.”

Following the retirement of Nell and Pepper, CVSRT still has support from three fully-trained collies, and there are also three new trainee dogs in the team.

He added: “The process of training another dog is well under way with a young border collie called Wynn who should be up to standard by the end of this year.”