A VOLUNTEER policeman who was denied a full-time career in the service because of poor eyesight, has retired after 35 years working with the Durham force.

Malcolm Marsden wore spectacles in his late-teens and was unable to join the police as a regular officer, but he chose to sign up as a special constable in his home town of Spennymoor.

In an eventful career, he once found himself guarding Mary Wilson, wife of the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson, while she had tea at Durham Cathedral.

He helped man roadblocks after John McVicar's escape from Durham Jail, and he was regularly photographed by foreign tourists as he sat in the market place police box, which used closed-circuit television cameras to control city centre traffic.

Mr Marsden, 55, also served at Langley Moor, Bearpark, Darlington and Bishop Auckland, and finished his career as Sedgefield's divisional officer.

He was a sergeant at 23, an inspector six years later and in 1982 he went to Bishop Auckland as sub-divisional officer, the specials' equivalent of chief inspector.

He has an official commendation from the Chief Constable and a long service medal with first and second bars.

His 30 years' service with St John Ambulance earned him similar recognition.

The father-of-three is a founder member of Spennymoor Round Table.

He manages the filling station at Morrison's supermarket in Bishop Auckland.