A POLICE officer who lost his helmet has thanked the Advertiser for helping him get it back.

PC Mike Armishaw has now been reunited with his headgear after it was knocked off in the line of duty.

Following an appeal in the paper for the missing helmet it was handed into the police station after being found in the town centre.

The hat was knocked off the officer's head as he broke up a fight in the early hours of Sunday morning.

And, as reported in later editions of the Advertiser, the bobby and his helmet were back together yesterday morning.

PC Mike Armishaw said: "I'm very pleased to have it returned safe and well without damage."

His helmet disappeared as he dealt with a fight at the junction of Fleet Street and Bridge Street at 2.20am on Sunday.

Two men, aged 40 and 28, were given fixed penalty tickets carrying £80 fines for the fracas.

PC Armishaw said: "It was kicking out time so everyone saw it come off and someone went off with it."

The hat was left outside the Salvation Army in Curtis Street on Tuesday night and a member of the public then handed it in to the central police station the following day.

"The officer is

pleased to have his helmet back and can now parade for duty in full uniform.

"All police officers take pride in their appearance and PC Mike Armishaw is no exception.

"It is feasible to assume that it was taken by a prankster who soon realised the error of his antics and returned the helmet intact."

Gareth Bethell