A NEW award-winning horse has joined West Yorkshire Police's Mounted Section, after passing a four-week trial period.

Millgarth - known as Millie - is a six-year-old Clydesdale mare, originally from Devon.

She moved to North Yorkshire and was involved in heavy horse showing, picking up a number of rosettes.

Her trainer thought she would make an ideal police horse and contacted West Yorkshire Police.

Millie joined the Mounted Section earlier this year and successfully passed a four-week trial period with "flying colours".

The six-year-old was already called Millie and has now taken on her full police name, Millgarth.

This is an ode to the former Leeds police station which used to be where the Victoria Gate complex now is.

Millie replaces Breeze who retired in 2020 after nearly 11 years serving with the force.

PC Steven Durrans, Millie’s rider, said: “She’s exactly what we need for a police horse.

"She’s so friendly and always wants to please.

“She’s passed her trial period with flying colours and will now continue her training for up to two years, depending how she takes to it.

“Millie takes everything in her stride and we hope that she’s got a long career ahead of her with the police.”