THE actions of an off-duty policeman have been praised, after he tackled a raging bull on the rampage through the quiet Penton villages.

Bruno, a 22-month-old bull first escaped from a field at the back of The Bell, Harvester at Weyhill on Saturday morning but was successfully returned to the field by his owner.

At 11 on Saturday night he escaped for a second time and was heard causing a commotion at a property in Short Lane. Pc Ted Reynolds who lives nearby, went out to investigate.

"I saw the bull move two doors down and start attacking a car. Then I could see him running off into Beech Close where he damaged another car. He wasn't happy at all."

Pc Reynolds, who is used to handling animals after working on a farm, called his colleagues at Weyhill and asked for backup.

"At one time there was five officers trying to contain the animal, who began chasing one of them around a signpost. It sounds funny but my fear was that he would move down to the A342 and cause a serious accident," he said.

Pc Reynolds eventually caught Bruno by his halter and held him while the other officer successfully roped him. "I had to hold the bull in that position for more than three hours until we could physically move him into an enclosure. You don't realise how destructive animals like this can be; the consequences could have been catastrophic in terms of damage and ultimately human life," he added.

Pc Reynolds actions and those of the other officers are being praised by the deputy divisional commander, Chief Inspector Mark Chatterton. He said: "Clearly Pc Reynolds and the other officers were extremely impressive and they put themselves in some danger with this. They are a credit to the Andover division. I will be speaking to them personally."

Bruno escaped for a third time at 5am on Sunday and was sedated by a vet later that day.