THE return of traditional "bobbies on the beat" in Cleobury Mortimer has been greeted with delight by residents.

For the first time in years the parish has two dedicated beat officers - PCs Keith Young and Arthur Stokes - based full-time at the village police station.

Previously officers from Kidderminster or Tenbury Wells would be sent out to cover the patch.

The new arrangements follow boundary changes which have seen the parish come under the control of South Shropshire division instead of Kidderminster.

Some 50 residents turned out at a meeting at Lacon Childe School last week to meet the new officers - and reacted with delight to news of the changes.

"This is the most positive move towards true local policing we could have hoped for," said Jim Reynolds, editor of the parish magazine Cleobury Bulletin.

Parish council chairman Councillor Adrian Pearce said the changes had been greeted with "absolute delight".

"We now have a visible police presence, which we have not had for many years. People find it very reassuring. Previously we felt we were often overlooked because we were geographically at the end of the line and so rarely saw a police officer."

Ludlow-based Insp John Payton will oversee the area, with Sgt Tony Mantle, also based at Ludlow, responsible for day-to-day policing.

Insp Payton said: "As of October 1 the two PCs have been in place. They work core hours, including evenings and weekends, and we are seeking to maximise the foot patrols in Cleobury Mortimer itself.

"In their absence officers at nearby stations will attend incidents.

"We believe this is a really positive step and residents have been very supportive about what we are doing."

The beat officers are supported by volunteers who perform counter clerk duties at the police station during the week. Police chiefs also hope to attract special constables to work in the area.

Residents wishing to contact the officers can call 01743 232888.

There are plans to equip the PCs with mobile telephones so they can also be contacted on patrol.