This week, PC JASON LOBO, Commonwealth Games athlete, finds a hotel that's hard to beat

ONE of Lancashire's most fleet-footed bobbies has a favourite place he likes to visit regularly -- the Inn at Whitewell.

PC Jason Lobo, 31, of Blackburn, is a new arrival at Colne police station, where he is part of the geographical policing team. But, in addition to his policing duties, he is a top athlete who has been chosen for the British international squad for this summer's Commonwealth Games.

His choice of the Inn at Whitewell as his Lancashire Hot Spot has a romantic reasoning -- he was married at nearby St Michael's Church and the wedding reception was held in a marquee at the hotel and restaurant. The officer enjoys the setting of the premises and the food it serves.

PC Lobo often goes running in the forest of Bowland accompanied by his Belgian shepherd dog, St John.

"He doesn't come out so much these days as he's about eight years old and getting a bit lazy," said PC Lobo, who has just returned from training in South Africa with the England squad.

In 1998 he became British champion in the 800 metres and represented England in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The following year he finished second in the British 800 metres championships and represented his country in the European Championships in Seville.