Horwich has taken delivery of a new off-road police vehicle after winning its battle with the Police Authority.

The authority had wanted to scrap the four-wheel-drive because of budget cuts.

But Horwich police and local councillors persuaded it the vehicle was necessary to get officers to Winter Hill and other remote parts of the West Pennine Moors.

Horwich inspector Peter Holden said: "It's a vehicle that we feel we need for the moorland that surrounds Horwich.

"In bad weather, it's proved its weight in gold."

The off-road vehicle has been used in searches and to help get injured people off the moors.

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