We paid tribute to an old friend a week ago - a gentle giant who has figured prominently in the safety record at The City Ground over the last two decades.

Police Horse Little John, the longest serving Police Horse in Nottinghamshire Police's mounted section, retired on August 21st at the age of 23 with a presentation at one of his favourite stamping grounds, Nottingham Forest Football Club.

Nottinghamshire Police Authority Chair John Clarke, alongside Nottingham Forest's Safety Officer Alan Bexon, Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts and head of the mounted section Sgt Lesley Taylor were on hand to wave him off to his new home with Paula Hallam.

Alan Bexon revealed: " 'Little John' is very well known to us at The City Ground and he's been a highly-popular figure on match-days.

"He's been on duty here many times over the last 18 years and attending our home matches has been a leading role for him - an integral part of policing the ground."

John Clarke said after he had presented the horse with a new rug, head collar and most importantly in Little John's eyes, a large amount of carrots and Polos, that the horse had been a loyal and long-standing servant for both Nottinghamshire Police and the public.

"Today we celebrated his career as one of Nottinghamshire's heroes and I would like to thank Paula Hallam for offering him such a good retirement home. He deserves a long and happy retirement and although we are sorry to see him go, I'm pleased that we gave him a good send off.

"I would also like to thank Nottingham Forest for allowing us to retire him in such an apt location. Their on-going support of the mounted section is very much appreciated."

Little John has served with Nottinghamshire Police Mounted Section since 1989, winning the National Competition for Police Horses showing Bravery in the line of duty in 1995, when he helped in the arrest of a man who had attacked two people with a knife in the City Centre.

Sgt Lesley Taylor, who heads the mounted section, said: "He is much loved by us all and we will miss him, but it really is time for him to retire. He has been in semi-retirement for a while now, but he still loves going out, particularly to football matches! We've found a lovely home for him in the countryside, with someone who will look after him and keep him entertained."