A TIME-strapped beat bobby is answering rural policing worries with a new series of community surgeries in the Ledbury area.

Residents living in Keith Eyles' 22 parishes can now quiz the busy PC about crime issues in their neighbourhoods on a one-to-one basis.

One surgery has already been held in Tarrington and another was due to be held at Colwall Free Church between 11am and 1pm.

A third will be held at Much Marcle, in August.

More information about forthcoming sessions will be available in parish newsletters, through local Neighbourhood Watch groups and on village notice boards.

"Like all of Hereford division's rural beat officers, I'm responsible for a huge chunk of Herefordshire's countryside," said PC Eyles, who is the rural beat manager for Ledbury.

"Communicating and liaising with the people I serve on a regular basis can, at times, be difficult."

PC Eyles said he was very pleased with the response from the suregery that was held in Tarrington.

He is now hoping for the same kind of success with other meetings that are planned.

"Issues being raised were broad, but local policing was high on the agenda," he added.

"I'm looking forward to holding local surgeries on a regular basis and I'm keen to encourage people who wish to raise any policing issues to come along."