THREE Trafford police officers demonstrated their athletic prowess in a nationwide compeition while raising money for charity.

The trio fought off fierce competition to finish as the top ranking relay team in this year’s National Emergency Services Triathlon with a time of one hour, three minutes and 54 seconds.

They finished with the eighth best time overall out of 116 entrants and also managed to raise £511 for Stretford-based Henshaws Society for the Blind.

Stretford’s PC Catherine Caulfield took to the water for the first part of the event and completed the 750-metre open water swim in 10 minutes and 41 seconds, making her the second fastest female in the opening part of the race.

PC John Bellamy of the Trafford’s Visual Identification Parade Electronic Recording Unit, was the first to complete the second section, a 20-km cycle ride, in 27 minutes and 48 seconds.

Stretford’s PC Stefan Winstanley ran the final five kilometres in 25 minutes and 65 seconds to complete the event, which was held at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham.

The race is held annually and is entered by both individual triathletes and triathlon relay teams from emergency service teams across Great Britain.

Chief Superintendent Janette McCormick, of Greater Manchester Police’s Trafford Division, said: “A triathlon is a difficult physical challenge which requires strength, fitness and determination to complete in such a short time.

“The officers’ performance and the fact that they raised money for such a worthy caused in their own time is a credit to policing in Greater Manchester.”

Henshaw’s community fundraiser, James Lester, added: “We are extremely grateful to the officers for taking part and helping us to raise these much needed funds.”