A POLICE force has launched a probe into its own officers after 26 football fans appeared to be given a lift to the pub - in the back of a riot van.

Video footage seemed to capture the moment a group of Middlesborough supporters exited the van after they'd made the journey to Preston for the final Championship match of the season against North End at Deepdale.

The fans - and an inflatable pink elephant brought along for the end of season carnival atmosphere - were dropped off in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicle at The Brook Tavern, around a mile from Preston North End's home ground.

Lancashire Police said it is now looking into the incident which is believed to have taken place on Saturday, ahead of the game that saw Boro's hopes of making the playoffs quashed when they lost 4-1 to the Lilywhites.

A police spokesperson said: “We are aware of the video and are investigating the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The clip sparked a hilarious response when it was shared online, with one wag branding the van as a 'Tardis' due to the seemingly endless stream of fans which poured out.

Some users even applauded the officers' behaviour, saying they had acted in the best interest of supporters by ensuring their safety.

One said: "Nice to see friendly community policing at its best.”

Another commented: "Give these coppers a knighthood lol."

But others were less impressed by their actions - expressing concern at the large number of passengers on board, which included 26 fans and three officers.

They wrote on social media: "If a member of the public was stopped and had that many people in the van they would be in trouble.”

When used for non-policing purposes, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters kitted out as minibuses are normally designed to carry up to 12 passengers and one driver, based on the number of seat belts available.

It is not clear how many passengers can safely be transported in the customised police model used by the force.