A BRITISH Transport Police (BTP) officer and his search dog who worked on the night of the Manchester Arena bombing have had a year to remember.

Phil Healy, from Atherton, was on duty with Mojo when a terrorist attack took place at the Ariana Grande gig in the main entrance of the venue.

He and Mojo were tasked with searching for secondary devices that may have been planted in the area or around the suicide bomber Salmon Abedi.

They are part of a team that won the judge’s special award for British Transport Police Manchester in the National Rail Awards 2017, and picked up the Humanitarian Award at popular dog programme Crufts in March.

After seven years of working alongside Phil, Mojo has now retired at the age of eight.

Phil, 47, who has worked at BTP for 25 years, said: “Mojo has become a celebrity in his own right in the last year with the publicity he has attracted.

“It was a joy to work with him as he was always very enthusiastic and he enjoyed doing the job.

“He was so important on the night of the attack as well.

“I am keeping him as a pet now even though he still wants to work but he has earned his retirement.”

Phil has taken on new recruit Harry to replace Mojo.