COOKHAM beat officer Les Bullion has been charged with drink-driving.

The Free Press was told by Thames Valley Police at the beginning of July that PC Bullion was on leave and that it was not known when he would be back, leaving the village without a dedicated beat officer.

But it has now emerged that the officer is waiting for his case to be dealt with by magistrates.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman confirmed: "PC Bullion was stopped in the Feltham area by police.

"He was subsequently charged with drink-driving. This case is yet to appear before Feltham magistrates.

Tony Prichard, chairman of the parish council, told the Free Press at the time: "People in Cookham want to see the presence of a beat officer."

But Inspector Steve Waters, of Maidenhead police, who cover Cookham and Cookham Dean, said the area was still regularly monitored.