ANYONE observing police on the beat in Accrington this week might have been surprised to see an unusual uniform on display.

The chief of community policing in the Romanian town of Comanesti, 54-year-old Mihai Isvoranu, spent three days in the town this week learning about how police operate in Hyndburn.

As well as time out on the beat in Oswaldtwistle, he spent a day with traffic police and a day learning about how Lancashire County Council responds to emergencies.

Comanesti is a town in north eastern Romania with a population of 26,000, and police in the town are due to take on new responsibilities as the force is in the process of being decentralised, to make local officers responsible for community policing.

Mr Isvoranu, who has never left Romania before, made links with Lancashire when the town was affected by severe flooding last year, and he helped volunteers from the county deal with the bureaucracy of taking in aid supplies.

It is hoped his visit will forge links which can be strengthened when Romania joins the European Union next year.

Mr Isvoranu said: "I am extremely excited to be able to represent my city and my country.

"Romanians have a keen interest in Britain, with its traditions and rich history. I hope to take back nothing but the best about Lancashire and thank everyone who has made the trip a reality."