POLICE are getting on horseback to catch motorists using their mobile phones while driving.

The officers arrived in Nelson on Tuesday for a week long stay - and on their first day handed out dozens of tickets to motorists.

They also said they arrested a teenager who was acting suspiciously in Chapel Street, finding five bags of cannabis when they searched him.

The 17-year-old Asian man from Brierfield was given a caution.

Police horses and officers are sent to different towns on a rota basis, and can focus on a different concern every day.

On Tuesday, they were concentrating on minor driving offences and targeting drivers using hand-held mobile phones.

Officers were also keeping watch for anti-social behaviour among young people in Brierfield.

Sergeant Mark Baines said officers on horseback made a big difference to the town.

He said: "A lot of stop forms, juvenile referral forms and fixed penalty notices were handed out and they talked to a lot of people on the streets of Brierfield.

"The best thing about them from our point of view is that people notice them.

"A police car can drive up and down and people won't really take much notice, but if a couple of horses walk down the street everyone sees them.

"The public love to see the horses out but they are not just there for show - they do some really valuable work."

Mounted officers will be patrolling in Nelson and Brierfield until next Tuesday, helping to tackle all types of crime and anti-social behaviour.