THREE Essex Police officers will pound the transatlantic beat to raise cash for a young boy with cancer.

Constables Dan Thrale, who is based at Pitsea, Neil Bazzoni of Tilbury police, and Christian Forbes, who is stationed at Rayleigh, are all taking part in the gruelling 36-mile run in New York.

They will form part of a 38-strong team mainly made up of officers from the Metropolitan and British Transport forces, who will be completing the run over two days.

The officers were seen off on Friday, May 2, at Heathrow Airport by Essex Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Carmel Napier, and Met Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair.

The bobbies are taking part in the run to raise cash for cancer sufferer Jack Brown.

The six-year-old, whose parents are both Met police officers, suffers from the rare childhood disease neuroblastoma which attacks the nervous system. They have set up the Jack Foundation and aim to raise £300,000 PC Bazzoni said: "I became involved through a friend who works with the organiser based with the Met police.

"I enjoy running and when I heard that this would be the challenge I was keen to get involved in a worthy cause."