A mother has thanked police officers after they sang happy birthday to her son who turned five this week.

Essex police officers were on their patrols when they stopped for a few minutes to sing to Loki and his family in Heybridge, Maldon.

Mother, Jessica Vidler, said: "I was desperate to get him a video of a police officer singing happy birthday.

"Loki just loves the police, he is obsessed with officers putting the baddies in jail and he wants to be a police officer he grows up.

"My sister is going to buy him a walkie talkie and handcuffs when we can all get out. He was beaming for the rest of the day.

"The officers are amazing. It was just a few minutes and it made Loki's day.

"I must thank them for everything, they put themselves on the line to keep people safe."

Chief Inspector Steve Scott-Haynes, District Commander for Chelmsford and Maldon, said: “I really hope Loki had a special birthday.

"This was a really kind gesture by my officers who were carrying out their patrols.

"We're all human and small things like this really put smiles on our faces."

To watch the video go to Essex Police Chelmsford and Maldon Facebook page.