A MAN'S determination to succeed as a police officer has been recognised in an awards scheme.

Bury PC Abid Sardar was so keen to realise his ambition and make it into the force that he overcame the disappointment of initially being rejected.

He failed to get accepted in 1996 and 1998 but volunteered to work for more than 15 hours per week as a special constable.

PC Sardar, aged 27, was finally accepted to join the regular force in December, 2000.

And he has been named as runner-up in the GMP Raffles Trophy which recognises excellence in police training exams.

He scored a mark of 83 out of 90 in competition with more than 600 other probationary constables.