A DETERMINED Farnworth bobby joined the cavalry to chase a wanted man escaping through a country park.

PC Trish Shepherd turned to horsepower by commandeering a horse from a passer-by as the suspect raced away on a mountain bike.

Accomplished horsewoman Trish, 30, jumped into the saddle and galloped after the man, who was believed to have exposed himself to two teenagers.

The incident happened as Trish and PC Glyn Armstrong - both based at Farnworth police station - were on duty near Moses Gate Country Park.

The officers were told that two girls had reported a "flasher" in the park.

During a search, PC Armstrong disturbed a man who had been hiding in bushes. The man cycled away from the officer who radioed a message to Trish. She ran up to a girl who was riding past her at the time and said: "I need your horse."

Trish, a member of Leigh and District Horse and Pony Club who has been riding nearly all her life, leapt into the saddle as the girl jumped down.

She galloped off and within minutes saw the man who had discarded some of his clothing in a bid to disguise himself.

Trish said: "He was moving quite fast. His little legs were pedalling away like pistons."

Trish, a police officer for five years, chased the man as he zig-zagged through trees and criss-crossed numerous paths in a bid to shake her off. But pedal power proved no match for Trish's horsepower.

After two miles, Trish cornered the suspect on the banks of the River Croal. He gave himself up as the police helicopter hovered overhead.

As the man was led away to a waiting police van, Trish handed her new horse "recruit" back to its owner.

"The owner was happy her horse was able to help," said Trish. "He was a lovely pony and we probably would not have caught the man without his help. It was a good team effort."

A 33-year-old Radcliffe man is facing charges in connection with the incident.

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