He may have only been on two wheels but that didn't stop a Hampshire beat officer chasing a drink-driver behind the wheel of a van.

During the five-minute pursuit through the narrow streets of Portchester PC Bill Cummings, 47, managed to keep the van within his sights.

When he finally saw its brake lights go on and the driver and his passenger flee he knew he was within moments of making an arrest.

PC Cummings was near Portchester Library when he first spotted Gary Wickenden behind the wheel of the red Citroen van.

He recognised him as the man he had spoken to earlier at the nearby Red Lion Pub.

"I gestured for him to stop and walked towards him pushing my bicycle.

"We made eye contact but then he drove away,'' said the officer.

"I called for back-up, got on my mountain bike straight away and followed him along Jubilee Road.

"We were probably both going at around 20mph. The van couldn't pick up much speed because there are lots of parked cars and bends."

PC Cummings reached a top speed of 28mph on his 21-speed mountain bike following the van into Myrtle Avenue.

Wickenden, 38, of Norgett Way, Portchester stopped the van near White Hart Lane and he and his passenger ran for cover behind a One Stop shop. A shop worker pointed PC Cummings to the pair crouching on the ground.

The officer took a positive breath test and charged the driver.

Wickenden was found guilty at Fareham magistrates of driving with excess alcohol and banned from driving for a year. He was also fined £200.

"Bikes are invaluable for pursuing people fleeing on foot in areas unsuitable for cars and for their completely silent approach," said Supt Graham Haycock after the hearing.