A boy who was unable to see his friends on his birthday had his day made by police officers who stopped by to deliver some cheer.

Eight-year-old Arthur Hayward, from Halesworth, was sad to miss out on his birthday plans until officers from Suffolk Constabulary were able to organise a special surprise for him.

The aspiring policeman who attends the Edgar Sewter primary school, in Halesworth, was inspired by the visit from officers who dropped by to show off their cars and leave him some police-themed gifts.

Celebrating his eighth birthday on Sunday, May 10, Arthur had no idea about the surprise arranged by his mum and local officers - and was expecting to spend the day with his big sisters, Lily and Meredith

Arthur’s mum Clair Hayward said: “I wanted to do something special for Arthur and thought what can I do with lockdown? And that’s when I thought it would be really cool to get the police to come and visit.

“I let them know a few weeks ahead and they said it was dependant on how busy they were - but there were able to come and it was amazing.

“He’s quite shy, so I wasn’t sure how he would react. But he loved it.”

Sergeant White and PC Simonds from Halesworth police said they “were happy to make Arthur’s day a little better by delivering gifts from their team and also from Halesworth Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).”

Arthur was left with a Lego car set, an SNT bag, and reflective stickers to keep him safe on his new bicycle which his mum happened to get him.

“It was a day he will never forget,” Clair Hayward said. “I want to say a massive thank you to our friendly and supportive community police. It’s great for children to not be intimidated and know they’re there to look after us.

“They’re on the front line like so many other people are. And I really appreciate them going above and beyond for Arthur.”

Arthur, who turned eight, will have to wait five more years before he start making his dreams come true and join the emergency service cadets.