LANCASHIRE Constabulary's newest recruit is saddling up to fight crime and gallop streets ahead of law-breakers -- a job she should find easy on four legs!

Silverdale is the latest member of the force's Mounted Branch, and after just four months training she is showing a natural affinity for police work.

PC Peter Wilkinson and yard supervisor Jeanette Taylor are responsible for instructing four-year-old Silverdale and schooling her up to the standards required as an operational police horse.

Peter said: "She's only been with us a few months and has progressed very quickly. "Silverdale is confident, very willing to learn and is already going out on low profile patrols in some towns to get used to people and traffic."

If Silverdale keeps going at this rate officers say they are confident she will attend her first football match in August where she will be expected to help control the crowd.

Although she is already impressing police chiefs, Silverdale had never been ridden before joining Lancashire Constabulary, and her training had to begin with the very basics. But Jeanette explained: "This can actually be an advantage, as when a horse has not been backed it means we can train it from scratch without having to rectify any bad habits it may have developed."

Recently the Mounted Branch was restructured to allow a better operational service across the county. It now has 20 horses, 14 constables and two sergeants.

Silverdale's arrival comes after five horses were retired from duty having served a combined total of 75 years on the beat.