A policeman surprised shoppers when he took some time out of his city patrol to play a rousing tune on a set of saucepans.

PC Perks, from West Midlands Police, stopped to showcase his talents in front of a large crowd in Birmingham city centre yesterday.

The bobby, who had initially stopped to watch a man beating on the pots and pans, stole the limelight after taking over and has become an internet sensation overnight.

A policeman entertained city centre shoppers by playing a rousing tune on a set of saucepans

A minute-long clip, which has been shared more than 4.5million times on Facebook, shows him then crouching in front of the make-shift drum kit as he starts to play.

As another police officer stares at him in the background, passers-by begin to stop with one boy running forward to pop a couple of coins in a silver bowl.

The police officer looks at ease in front of the crowd, using two large upturned buckets to get lower notes and a set of saucepans to achieve the higher ones.

The clip ends as the officer incredulously looks at his colleague and stands up to a rousing applause.

PC Perks said he had been playing for 14 years and occasionally performed with a band.

He added: 'When I was offered the chance to pull up a pew I thought it would be rude to say no!

'I joined the force last autumn and became fully operational earlier this year.

'I’m quickly learning that a police officer wears many hats: catching criminals and keeping people safe is what I’m here for but it’s also important to make efforts to be an active part of the community and to interact with people. And why not have some fun along the way?'

The bobby, who had initially stopped to watch a man playing music with pots and pans, stole the limelight after taking over and has become an internet sensation overnight

Vincent Pegg, from Coventry, was there to witness the incredible performance.

The 32-year-old said: 'The performance was great, especially given that the office didn't have any practice and this was his first attempt in front of a crowd.

'The crowd absolutely loved his playing, it was a great display of drumming skills and it took us all completely by surprise.

'I was in town when I saw a large crowd gather to watch a guy playing on pots and pans like a drum kit.

The clip ends as the officer incredulously looks at his colleague, who was watching from the side the whole time

'I stopped to take a look when I noticed some officers on foot patrol had also briefly stopped to watch.

'Once the guy who was playing had stopped, the officer approached him and they had a discussion.

'The officer then took his seat and started to play, it was really cool to watch.'