The police car patrolling a down town area,

Spotted a cop on the street.

Pulling up, one said: "Aren't you Sergeant Nelson?

Why are you walking the beat?"

He replied: "I was a sergeant a while ago.

That's before my demotion, you see

For arresting a judge while out on a spot-check.

At the time looked suspicious to me!

Didn't know at that moment where he was heading,

Never dreamt of a confrontation.

At the wheel, a convict in black and white stripes,

I soon had him down at the station!

When he told his story, I nearly died,

Knew then I was in for a fall.

He wasn't an escaped prisoner absconding,

But on his way to a fancy dress ball!"

"Don't worry," said the man in the police car.

In time the three stripes you'll recover.

You have learned something special, a kind of moral.

Never book a judge by his cover!"

KEITH SOWERBUTTS, Southwood Drive, Baxenden.