WHEN rookie PC Karen Bowman joined Durham Constabulary she created her own piece of force history.

Because when she started work at Chester-le-Street, she completed what is believed to be the first mother and son combination serving at the same time in the Durham force.

Karen's son John, a beat bobby at Newton Aycliffe, joined the force three years before his mother.

She had always wanted to join the police, but family commitments had prevented her in the past.

She worked at the education department in Peterlee, County Durham, before a chat with her son persuaded her to think again.

Karen, 42, said: "John mentioned there had been someone of similar age to myself in the training school with him when he first joined.

"When I did apply I struggled with the physical tests, but I put in a lot of work and got through."

John, 22, said: "I've not had a bit of stick about it. Everybody who knows has been very supportive and thinks it's a brilliant idea."