A puppy left abandoned by a roadside is training to become a police dog.

Chester was reportedly found dumped in a crate in Broad Oak, just outside Canterbury, in January along with three other red-and-white cocker spaniels and two black-and-white terriers.

A member of the public arrived at the RSPCA’s centre in Hersden with the dogs in his vehicle, explaining he had found them on a grass verge close to Broad Oak Road and Farleigh Road.

The dogs - thought to be about 12 to 16 weeks old - were described as “bright, fairly healthy pups” and were taken into the RSPCA's care.

Two months on, the animal charity has shared a happy update for young cocker spaniel Chester.

In a post on Facebook, RSPCA Canterbury and District wrote: "After lots of hard work with his foster mum, Chester is now off for his first month at police training doggy school with Surrey Police after passing his initial assessment.

"We are very excited that Chester now has the amazing opportunity to become a police sniffer dog!

"The RSPCA and the police often work together on complex cases so we are delighted that one of our own pups has been chosen to help.

"He’s already done very well in the practice house sniffing our tennis balls on his very first afternoon.

"Abandoned to awesome! Good job Chester."