ENGLEFIELD Estate has opened its scenic woodlands for dogs and humans to be put through their paces in vital search and rescue training.

Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs (Berkshire SAR), have been honing their skills at the West Berkshire site.

The hounds and their handlers provide specialist dog support to the police and other statutory emergency services.

A vast majority of the volunteers have other full-time jobs and the team receives no government funding.

Jon Bromley, chairman, said: "Without the use of fabulous areas such as The Englefield Estate, we would not be able to bring such varied realism and scale to the training of both our human and K9 members. 

"Their support is invaluable, and it is very much appreciated.”

Volunteers are on call 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.

The group is made up of 25 people and 12 operational search dogs.

There are also 16 dogs in training to achieve national qualification.

Richard Edwards, Englefield Estate forestry manager, added: "The work that both the handlers and the dogs do is exceptional and helps to saves lives, so it something that Englefield Estate is very pleased to support.

“The Englefield woodland provides the perfect location for the SAR Dogs to train with a vast expanse of forest area similar to the surrounding countryside, getting dogs and handlers used to working in this sort of environment.”

The Berkshire SAR Dogs team works closely with Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue and is a member of Lowland Rescue.