Police cadets were on hand to take part in the UK's largest indoor rowing event.

Lee Valley Athletics Centre, in Meridian Way, Edmonton, played host to the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships.

Metropolitan police cadets demonstrated police equipment and gave spectators the chance to try it out for themselves.

Mounted officers PC Karen Powell and PC Clare Rees paid a surprise visit to the centre on their horses, Merlin and Flintlock, attracting attention from the thousands that attended.

The event attracted over 2,700 competitors, some from as far afield as the Isle of Wight and Bournemouth.

PC Chris Excell, from Pan-London Taskforce, said: "This event allowed us to meet young people from across London, affording us the opportunity to build community ties and improve links between the police and our local communities. This has been a great opportunity for us and I would like to thank the organisers for inviting us."

Matt Rostron, London Youth Rowing chief executive officer, said: “NJIRC is not only about people competing, it’s about the way they interact within the communities in which we work. The Met Police presence onsite at our event is a great example of how a grass roots community project and the Met Police can work together.”