A RETIRED police horse has swapped passionate football matches, town centre disorder and public appearances for quiet East Lancashire countryside this festive season.

After 17 years of keeping the peace over the busy festive period, George the 21-year-old part-Irish draught horse has been enjoying a more relaxed time with his new owner.

George, known as Invincible during his time with Lancashire police’s mounted division, has been relocated to a stables in Whalley and is looked after by Margaret Townson, from Great Harwood.

The 16.2 hand-high horse had been with the police since the age of four, until he was rehomed in the summer with help from the force’s retired police horse benevolent fund.

It helps cover bills such as vets treatment after the animal has finished its service.

Margaret said: “George is enjoying a very happy retirement and now spends his days out grazing.

“We have around 25 other horses in the stables. He has a nice, easy life with no public events.”

Margaret decided to take on a ‘mature’ horse after losing a 27-year-old ex-racehorse to old age.

She said she gets a lot of enjoyment from riding and looking after George, spending several ‘dedicated’ hours a day at the stables.

Margaret said: “George stands bigger than he is because of his high head position from working for the police.

"He’s a very different horse, with a different mentality.”

The retirement fund is an independent charity set up by staff at the Hutton-based police stables. Mounted Police Sergeant Christine Driver has said it helped the transition from a disciplined and regimented environment.

She said the ideal police horse must be tolerant, adaptable and brave enough to go into a crowd of people.

An average of one horse is retired a year, usually through old age, sometimes through injury or illness and occasionally when they simply can’t continue in the job.

There are 18 horses on duty in Lancashire over the festive period.