POLICE on horseback will be seen patrolling the streets of Callington on October 14 during a force day of action.

The officers will be members of the mounted section of the Avon and Somerset Police who are visiting the area to give a high visibility police presence.

They will be in Plymouth before coming to Callington between 3pm and 5pm.

Avon and Somerset is the only force in the West Country with a mounted section. It has been in existence for more than a century.

Mounted police are often used to assist surrounding constabularies, particularly at high profile events like Glastonbury Festival and Badminton Horse Trials, football matches, ceremonial duties and when searching for missing persons.

Callington Sgt Brett Philips said he expected police officers on horseback to have been seen in Plymouth but it was unlikely to have happened in Callington since the introduction of the motor car.

'You could not get much more visible than on a horse,' he said. 'I think it will be great.'

During the force day of action officers from Callington Police Station will be targeting the rural areas of Gunnislake, offering crime prevention advice and reassurance and talking to people about any issues they have in the community.

In the afternoon they will be working with young people to plant bulbs around Callington in conjunction with the Callington Community College 'Community Action Through Sport' scheme (CATS).

Sgt Philips added: 'Police work is not all about catching criminals but part of our remit is to engage with the community and we hope to build links with the young people.'