An abandoned puppy has been given a new home after he was adopted by an officer at Croydon police station.

Bodie - named after a character in the detective televison programme The Professionals - was found by two girls on Saturday morning sitting in a cardboard box in Tanfield Road with just a red lead and a cow-shaped slipper for company.

However, instead of being taken to Battersea Dogs Home, station officer Enice Fearon has offered him a permanent home.

Mum-of-five Enice said: "It's funny, last week my kids asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day and I told them I'd wanted a puppy for ages. Then this little fella turns up.

"He's been a bit of a distraction, no one's done any work since he arrived. There was talk of naming him Morse but we've settled on Bodie."

A police spokesman said Bodie would be returned to his rightful owner, provided they could provide documentation proving ownership.