A POLICEMAN has been charged with speeding while on duty after his force vehicle was allegedly snapped by a speed camera.

Dog handler Kevin Taylor, 41, who works in Pennine Division, is also charged with failing to provide information required by the chief constable.

Taylor, who gave a Nelson address, pleaded not guilty to both matters when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates.

It was not revealed how fast he is alleged to have been travelling nor where the alleged offence, in September, took place.

The court was told the official police log showed he had been attending the scene of a robbery at the time of the camera-recorded offence.

The officer's solicitor requested an adjournment so representations could be made to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The case was adjourned until June 14 at Burnley magistrates.

PC Taylor, who remains on duty following the allegations, was unavailable for comment as he is off work until Saturday.

And Chief Superintendent Chris Weigh, of Lancashire Constabulary's professional standards department, refused to reveal any more details of the allegation.

He added: "We can confirm that the officer in question was on duty at the time of the incident, but we would not wish to comment any further at this time as it may prejudice any forthcoming proceedings.

"At the conclusion of the case the professional standards department would consider this more fully and decide whether any internal disciplinary procedures were appropriate."

It is rare for a police officer to be prosecuted on the suspicion of speeding while on duty.

Police policy is that an officer caught going through a speed camera while on duty can avoid prosecution -- as long as the force's information database showed he or she was on route to an emergency.