A FORMER mounted police officer is suing his force after he was injured by a "dangerous" horse he was riding.

PC Charles Cunningham was left with incurable back and neck problems after his horse, Prelude, went out of control twice and tried to unseat him.

The officer is suing Northumbria Police for negligence.

PC Cunningham was an experienced and competent horseman of 14 years when he took charge of Prelude.

A High Court hearing in Newcastle heard how the horse had a reputation, within the mounted division, of being unpredictable and erratic.

After taking charge of the horse, PC Cunningham experienced several problems.

But in December 1992, his mount went completely out of control during a training exercise.

The court heard how the horse bolted, and PC Cunningham struggled to keep control, injuring his neck and back.

The 55-year-old, from Cramlington, Northumberland, told the court: "Prelude was just very unpredictable. One minute you would be riding along and he would be brilliant - the next minute, for no apparent reason, he would just go berserk."

Michael Bowerman, representing PC Cunningham, said sufficient steps were not taken by those in charge to reduce the risk of injury, and that this amounted to negligence.

The hearing continues.