A police horse which patrolled picket lines during some of the most violent scenes of the miners' strike has died.

Saracen, known as Pops, spent most of his working life in Bradford and was a familiar sight at Valley Parade and football grounds across the North.

He stood his ground throughout his challenging line of duty, which included the Battle of Orgreave, when police clashed with strikers on picket lines at the British Steel coking plant.

He also helped to police a demonstration against writer Salman Rushdie in Dewsbury in 1989.

Saracen, who was 24 when he died, joined West Yorkshire Police in the early 80s.

PC Martin Preston rode him from 1987 to 1989 and the pair were a regular sight on the streets of Bingley and Keighley, as well as at the Lord Mayor's annual parade, schools and Bradford carnivals.

"He became my best friend," said PC Preston, who is stationed at Bingley Police Station. "He was the first horse I had. We went everywhere together and I was with him for eight hours a day, five or six days a week.

"We were a pair. He would look after me and sometimes get me out of trouble and I looked after him. He was always reliable and never let me down."

Saracen was stabled in the yard at the back of Bolling Road Police Station.

The Irish cross draft gelding was retired in 1993 when he joined retired South Yorkshire Police sergeant Trevor Bassendale at his home near Scarborough, with another retired police horse.

Mr Bassendale, 64, said: "He was truly a magnificent animal who served the public of Bradford well, always with courage and fairness and I am sure many people in Bradford will remember him.

"I am still devastated. Saracen was always regarded as a firm favourite with the police officers who knew and worked with him and even in retirement he was loved and admired for his wonderful temperament by everybody who came to know him.

"Over his past few months he suffered with stiffness and arthritis but despite every effort and available medication, the pain became too much for him to bear and his long and happy life was brought to an end in."

In March a maple tree was planted in his honour at the International League for the Protection of Horses' headquarters in Snetterton, Norfolk.