FORMER police chief inspector Bob Young, 81, of Newcastle Road, Chester-le-Street, died on Monday at the Willow Burn Hospice, Lanchester, from cancer.

Mr Young, described as "an officer of the old school" by Durham Constabulary, leaves a widow, Mary, a son, John, and two grandchildren.

Before joining the police, Mr Young served as a petty officer with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

After the war Mr Young, who was born in Langley Park, joined the police as a beat officer in Durham City, before working at the force HQ at Aycliffe, alongside his new wife, who was a typist.

He then moved to the Houghton-le-Spring division before transferring to Bishop Auckland after being promoted to sergeant.

By 1964, he had been promoted to inspector, and four years later became chief inspector at Chester-le-Street.

He retired in 1980 after being commended twice by the chief constable and receiving a long service award for his 34 years on the force.

His widow, Mary, said her husband was a family man, a keen stamp collector and supporter of Sunderland FC.

She said: "All his men respected and liked him. There are still men at Chester-le-Street police station that served under him and they still remember him."

The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last December.

Mr Young's funeral service will be held today, at St Mary's and St Cuthbert's Church, Chester-le-Street.