THERE is nothing like jumping in at the deep end and that's exactly what one bobby did when he rescued a drowning man during his first day on the beat.

Community Support Officer Simon Martindale was on his first day at Stockton Heath Police Station when he had to rescue an alleged offender, aged 17, from cold waters on Tuesday night.

CSO Martindale said: "The guy was lucky - if he had gone in properly he would have been a goner because it was freezing.

"He was screaming for help so we used a dog handler's lead to pull him out. What a way to start a new job."

The rescue happened after the quick-thinking officer, who was previously stationed in Macclesfield, had seen two teenagers attacking another man.

No sooner had the pair got away than one of the suspects fell into the Manchester Ship Canal.

Both men were later arrested and were being questioned as the Warrington Guardian went to press.

Following the incident, Inspector Stuart Woodcock, head of Stockton Heath Neigbourhood Policing Unit, praised the work of his new officer: "He plunged into the deep end when he got here, literally! I'm very pleased with the way PSCO Martindale handled the situation."

The vicitm of the assault is believed to have suffered minor injuries.