Members of the public are being invited to cast their votes to name a new police dog in Essex.

The litter of new recruits arrived at the force’s dog unit in Sandon, Chelmsford on August 5.

German Shepherd Flame gave birth to eight healthy puppies, five boys and three girls and seven of them have now been named.

Trainers from the dog unit have chosen the letter ‘C’ as a theme for the names and have already named the girls Cilla, Cola and Cairo.

Four of the boys have already been named Carter, Chester, Cain and Comet but members of the public will be able to help name the remaining male puppy by voting in our poll on the force’s website.

People can register their vote for Chaos, Cuba, Casper or Costa at www.essex.police.uk/puppypoll with the poll ending at 12noon on Tuesday, September 1.

The puppies’ mum Flame was also named by a member of the public in April 2012 after a competition was launched asking for help to name her and her brother Boris.

Dog lovers were asked to suggest Olympic-themed names for the new arrivals in honour of the London 2012 games.

Dog Unit Inspector Brad Dickel said: “The puppies are all doing well and Flame is proving to be a fantastic mum.

“She was named by a member of the public so it’s fitting that the tradition is carried down to her puppy in this way.

“Members of the public are always really supportive of our police dogs so I’m pleased to give them the chance to have their say on a name for one of our new arrivals.”