WHEN a driver brazenly drove his car through a red light in front of a policeman, the gritty PC was determined to get his man.

There was only one problem - he was on a push bike.

Undaunted, PC John Hunter raced after the driver on his bike, before overtaking him and forcing him to pull over. The surprised driver gave a positive breath test and was later convicted of drink driving and banned from driving for 36 months.

PC Hunter, who is the local policing officer for Pershore, said: "I was monitoring the new temporary traffic lights in Pershore High Street.

"We were trying to stop the chaos because people were trying to jump the lights.

"I was sat on the bike at the front of the lights and this car overtook me and turned right down Church Street.

"I was there for that very issue and he did it right in front of me.

"I jumped on the bike, overtook him and stopped him.

"I don't think he was expecting me to do it."

PC Hunter, who is 52, weaved his bike in front of the man's Rover and, as the driver tried to turn right at a junction, jumped in front of him blocking his path.

He said: "I indicated for him to pull over. He couldn't turn because I was in front of him."

After suspecting the man had been drinking, PC Hunter radioed for a breathalyser and the man was arrested on Thursday, January 17.

The modest PC said: "You just get out there and do it don't you?"

PC Hunter said since being given the bikes nine months ago, he and Community Support Officer Ryan Payne had clocked up more than 4,000 miles cycling around the town.

The bikes allow them to move around more quickly than on foot and have proved popular with residents.

He said: "Hardly a day goes by without someone making a comment, it's good to see you out.' The feedback is outstanding."

He has also used his bike to patrol alleyways and disturb drug dealers.

He added: "When you are walking, they see you coming, but on the bike you come from nowhere.

"It frightens the life out of them."

South Worcestershire police have been running a scheme to put bobbies on bikes since 2006. Officers in Evesham will be next to receive their new steeds.