Police horse relying on sun cream

Sunny has the lotion rubbed into his skin before going on patrol in Hull

A police horse is getting through 10 bottles of sun cream a week in order to cope with the summer heat wave.

Humberside Police horse Blue, who is nicknamed Sunny, has a skin condition which means he has very little hair and blisters easily in the sun.

Mounted officers issued an internet appeal for help to keep Sunny protected during his patrols around Hull.

It was answered by a high street chemist which provided the force with five gallons of factor 50 sun lotion.

Pc Claire Doherty of Humberside Mounted Police said: "We have been so worried about Sunny, especially now the temperature is soaring."

The horse, which is based at Northland Stables in East Yorkshire, has the lotion rubbed into the affected skin on his back, hips and nose before going on his daily patrols.

In the past few days, Hull and the surrounding areas have experienced temperatures of up to 29C.