LANCASHIRE Police horse Excalibur captured the public's hearts after he was injured when a motorcycle was driven at him. Next week marks the final milestone in his recovery, when he turns on the Christmas lights in Brierfield. Chief Reporter MICHELLE FIDDLER looks back down the road to his recovery. . .

FORGET big name soap stars and sporting celebrities. When the people of Brierfield wanted someone to turn on their festive lights they only had one celebrity in mind -- Excalibur.

Six months ago, Excalibur, also known by his stable name 'Monty,' received a gashed thigh after being struck by a motorbike as its riders tried to drive away from police officers in Brierfield.

The 19-year-old grey stallion needed five staples in the wound and painkillers and was off duty for five weeks as he recovered.

As the oldest current serving horse with Lancashire Police, staff initially feared the trauma may have had long-term psychological effects and spent time easing him gently back into his role -- on patrol at high visibility crime reduction and patrolling football matches and public events.

Support manager Jeanette Taylor, has been working alongside Excalibur for the past 15 years -- the whole of his working life.

She said: "I was devastated when I heard the news about Excalibur. You feel like you have let them down by sending them out on jobs where they get injured.

"My initial reaction was that he had broken his leg and I know that it could have been a lot more horrific and in a younger horse that could have meant the end of its career."

During his extensive working life, which spans nearly two decades, Excalibur has performed at the Horse of the Year Show and numerous regional horse shows, as well as carrying out his duties across East Lancashire. He is also considered a valuable asset for officers who are training new police horses.

Jeanette said: "I think initially the incident did knock his confidence. He has always been confident with people, but I think if something like this happens you lose a little bit of that. We also had to see how he was around motorbikes after the incident. We were very conscious of his age with his injury, but I knew that he was the kind of horse that could shake it off.

"If it had been a younger horse then that could have been it, but he has been around for so long that he is hardened to it.

"I don't think he will ever forget what happened, but he is fine around motorbikes now and I think he has loved all the attention." Sgt Tony Critchley, who helps to oversee Lancashire Police Mounted Division, said: "The usual age for retiring horses is 20 and Excalibur is 19 now. But other than this incident he is fit and healthy and has never had a day off in his service.

"A lot of time and effort has been put in with Excalibur and it is not always best to take them out of the force and put them out in a field. It's like putting old people in an old folk's home.

"We will have a vet examine him every 12 months to check he is healthy.

"Excalibur has always had an air of superiority about him and as the oldest horse on the force he is very much King Bee of the stable."