Police dog Bruce will be remembered by a simple wooden cross bearing the epitaph: Partner and Friend.

His heartbroken handler, PC Pete Tattum, yesterday met the dog who is likely to become Bruce's replacement, two-year-old Kurt.

The Argus today began collecting donations from anyone who would like to give money in Bruce's memory.

PC Tattum has requested any cash left over from the donations for a memorial are given to a pets' charity.

His wife Kay, 42, said a small tribute to the crime-fighting hound would be placed on Bruce's grave, beneath a cherry tree at the foot of their garden in Seaford.

She said: "We don't want anything too flash but it would be nice to just have a little wooden cross and a short dedication."

Bruce's ashes have been saved and will be buried by the family later this week.

PC Tattum will be in Guildford for the next 12 weeks completing the residential course where he will get to know his new canine partner.

His wife said: "Bruce was such a good-looking dog, there's no way we could ever really replace him. But Pete is pleased to have started a new course."

Mrs Tattum said: "We're trying to get our lives back to normal. Hopefully we'll be welcoming a new dog in to our home very soon."

Bruce was destroyed by police after failing a safety test. Earlier this month he bit off part of a teenage boy's ear during an incident.

Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo last week apologised for describing the dog as "a piece of equipment" but insisted he had no option but to put him to sleep.

The Argus has been inundated with letters and messages condemning the action and offering words of support to the family.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the fund in Bruce's memory can send cheques to: Bruce Fund, The Argus, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton BN1 8AR.

Just some of the hundreds of messages we received about the story of Bruce the police dog are posted in our letters section today.