The horses have proved to be popular with the public

The high-visibility mounted patrols will operate in Leighton Buzzard to tackle drunken behaviour in the town centre.

Bedfordshire Chief Superintendent Mike Colbourne said: "We want people to interact with them; we want to defuse any potential public disorder situations and give reassurance.

"The horses say 'We're here, and we're prepared to be as visible as you want to let you know you're being policed and we've got a safe environment for you to come to'."

The horses were taken to Dunstable by Nottinghamshire Police to help officers between Christmas and the new year.

There, mounted officers made arrests for everything from criminal damage and breach of the peace to possession of drugs.

Officers have also confiscated alcohol from youngsters and sent warning letters to parents.