A former professional football who once played against World Cup winning goalkeeper Fabian Barthez has spoken about his career as a cop in a bid to encourage others to join Police Scotland. 

In a Q&A posted on Police Scotland's Facebook, former striker Nathan Lowndes said he joined the police because he wanted a challenging yet rewarding career.

He said: "I thought it would be a challenging yet rewarding career - which it has proved to be.

"There are a number of different of career options once you join the police, so like football, there are lots of different opportunities as you progress."

The cop, who is based in Perth and worked with Police Scotland for five years, played for Leeds, Watford, St Johnstone, Livingston, Plymouth, Port Vale and Chester City.

He is married to Walking Dead and Downton Abbey actress Emma Lowndes.

During his career, he was the first player to score an away goal for St Johnstone in a European competition and faced Barthez in the UEFA Cup, now called the Europa League. 

A memory which he looks back on fondly, "I managed to win league titles with Watford and Plymouth in the old English Division 2 – now called League 1 – divisions. I also played in the League Cup final for St Johnstone and scored in the UEFA Cup. I also played against a certain World Cup winning goalkeeper Fabian Barthez for St Johnstone against Monaco."

Barthez won the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000 as France's goalkeeper. He also reached the final of the World Cup in 2006. 

To join the apply to Police Scotland click here