Sussex police dogs will be equipped with body armour after trials were judged a success.

The force dog unit will order three sets of vests following a three-month trial.

German shepherds Boss, Oban, Rodney, Razz and Ben are firearm support dogs and are often first on the scene in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations.

The armour, which protects the heart, liver and kidneys, should reduce their chances of being killed or seriously injured when assisting the Special Operations Unit.

Trials show the dogs' chances of surviving a gunshot increase by 80 per cent if they are wearing the armour when shot.

Pete Sims, dog unit co-ordinator, said: "They were used in training and we put them through their usual exercises wearing the vests.

"We had to test them out and they will now be used operationally. The dogs went about their normal routines wearing the vests to get them used to them and we will be ordering three vests in the next couple of weeks."

The body armour is made from the same material used to produce bulletproof vests for officers and is made by Michigan-based company Second Chance Body Armour at £300 per vest.

Police say the dog is unlikely to be sent into a situation where someone is openly carrying a gun but could be used if it is not known whether a suspect is armed.