THAMES Valley Police hosted a number of community events tying in with half term featuring horses, chocolate and a helicopter.

Members of the force held an Easter egg hunt, with a special appearance from a police helicopter.

On Wednesday April 9, around 100 children turned out at Bearwood Recreation Ground, New Road, to enjoy a traditional Easter egg hunt.

With numerous small chocolate eggs donated by Sainsbury’s, the team - including PC Will Laurie and PCSO Claire Nicholls - from Winnersh, cordoned off an area in the grass, hiding around 100 eggs.

Children set about finding the eggs, and there was a free raffle where one giant egg, also donated by Sainsbury’s, was won by a young man.

A police helicopter, normally based in Oxford, made an appearance, landing at the site to the delight of the children.

Sergeant Tony Sams, from Wokingham, who was the event, said: “The children were very interested. They flocked around it, it was good and we had nice weather.

“The day went really well, lots of parents commented saying that they wanted it to be annual event, and that’s something we’re looking into.” The following day, Thursday April 10, two police horses from Milton Keynes came along to the recreation ground, entertaining children who had just taken part in a football game.

Children were able to pet the horses, who then went on to patrol Winnersh.

Sgt Sams added: “After the horses went back to bed! The horses were a good attraction for the children who got to meet them. They were asking questions and taking pictures. We had families picnicing there as well, it was a good day, good weather.”