A POLICE officer from North Berwick is celebrating after her dog was awarded an Order of Merit award by a leading veterinary charity.

PC Rhona Meikle, whose dad Gilbert was a former police inspector and an East Lothian Councillor, attended a ceremony in Edinburgh last Friday as her cocker spaniel, Sweep, was presented with the prestigious award by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).

Sweep was trained to detect drugs, firearms, cash and poison, and worked alongside Rhona for eight years between 2007 and his retirement in 2015.

During his service, Sweep completed about 100 successful searches, removing weapons, drugs and poisons from Scotland’s streets.

He successfully located £512,000 worth of drugs, £250,000 in cash, six shotguns, three handguns, a flare gun, two rifles, 3,500 shotgun cartridges and 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

Rhona, 43, who is also involved with North Berwick RNLI, was delighted to see the 11-year-old receive his award. She said: “Sweep has made a huge contribution to the fight against violent and organised crime in Scotland.”

In 2012, Sweep became the UK’s only poison detection dog, after being trained to find Carbofuran, a deadly banned poison used to target birds of prey.

A delighted Rhona added: “He has also helped protect Scottish wildlife through his poisons detection work.

“I’m so pleased he has been awarded the PDSA Order of Merit.

“I’ve always known he’s special and now so does everyone else!”

Jan McLoughlin, PDSA director general, said Sweep was a “true hero”, and added: “His retirement is well and truly deserved.

“Having played a vital role in combating wildlife crime and fighting violent and organised crime in Scotland, the impact he has made as a police dog is humbling.

“I’m delighted Sweep has joined the ranks of the Order of Merit recipients.”

Since his retirement, Sweep has lived with Rhona at her home on the outskirts of North Berwick, along with her working German Shepherd Cali, and Labrador Dan.