EIGHT local police officers have been named as the best on their beat by the people they serve.

They have been picked as the district winners of North Yorkshire's Community Police Officer of the Year awards.

The overall winner, to be named at a presentation evening at Ripley Castle, near Harrogate, in October, will go on to represent the county at the national event in November.

Nominations were invited earlier this year from community groups, partner agencies, police supervisors and local people.

In Hambleton, the honour went to PC John Trueman, a well-known figure among local shopkeepers, licensees and traders in Northallerton, where he regularly patrols.

He helped establish and maintains the town's Shopwatch scheme, promoted an effective partnership with the council's security camera department, and played an integral part in implementing the first local Dispersal Order for North Yorkshire.

He also acts as a tutor to new community support officers and works with them to provide high visibility patrols in the town.

Ripon-based PC Gordon Graham has taken the Harrogate district award for the second year in succession.

"To many local groups and organisations, he is the public face of policing in the city," said a force spokesman.

He is a regular visitor to schools, youth clubs and other organisations, including the YMCA and Army's Claro Barracks and is the force behind a number of local initiatives.

The Richmondshire winner is PC Lee Featherstone, the community officer in Catterick Garrison and Colburn.

He has established close links with both the local community and the Army authorities, is ever-present at parish council meetings, and as well as having visited every school on his patch, he regularly attends parent-teacher association and staff meetings.

"Lee is recognised as a problem solver who is more than willing to use his initiative," said the spokesman.

Ryedale winner PC Ray Thwaites lives at the police station at Helmsley, where he is very much part of everyday life and is fully involved with local people.

He established the local Countrywatch group, is behind a series of local initiatives and has also taken part in a number of high-profile sporting events - including the New York marathon - to raise money for local good causes.

Other district winners include PC Amanda Kay, in Skipton, PC Steve Ross, in Scarborough, PC Angela Ungers, in Selby, and Sergeant Rick Ball, in York.