PUPILS from a school in Cirencester have named Gloucestershire police's newest stallion recruit after a beloved market town in our area.

The latest member of the constabulary's Mounted Unit was officially named Fairford at a special ceremony at Paternoster SEN School - a special education school in Cirencester for pupils aged four to 16 - on Wednesday, February 21.

The seven-year-old grey Percheron joined the force in September and Paternoster pupils were given the opportunity to name him after a village or town in the Cotswolds.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: PH Fairford at Paternoster School in Cirencester PH Fairford at Paternoster School in Cirencester (Image: Glos Police)
After the initial buzz of excitement, the students unanimously agreed on Fairford as they love attending forest school sessions there.

The stallion, originally called Prince, came from a private home after his previous owners relocated to France.

As part of his training, PH (police horse) Fairford attended his first public order training day with Avon and Somerset Police and has been spotted patrolling busier areas which tend to have more traffic. 

Officers from the Mounted Unit team say that PH Fairford is taking to life as a police horse extremely well and added that he one of the the friendliest horses in the stable.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: PH Fairford at Paternoster School in Cirencester PH Fairford at Paternoster School in Cirencester (Image: Glos Police)

PC Leah Davis from the Schoolbeat Team said: "I chose Paternoster SEN School to rename Prince to Fairford as the pupils are always happy and engaging, and love the police so it was an easy choice.

"Pupils from the Beech Class performed the naming ceremony magnificently with many of the pupils braving the weather to come and look at PH Fairford as well as a patrol vehicle.

"He is probably the friendliest horse in the stable and always has his head out of his door looking for attention from people on the yard.

"I’m sure he’s going to prove a real hit with the public and he has a real presence about him; he really seems to be enjoying becoming a police horse."