TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving Darlington policeman who died.

Stuart Oakley served with Durham Constabulary for nearly 25 years and spent much of that time as a sergeant in Darlington.

Mr Oakley died, aged 63, of a brain haemorrhage last Friday.

His wife, Pamela, said he was a great friend to have.

She said: "He had a wicked sense of humour and he would do anything for anybody."

Mr Oakley started his career with Northumbria Constabulary serving in Newcastle, where he had been brought up.

He left the force for a short time and was an insurance salesman. He returned to uniformed service in April 1969 with Durham Constabulary. During his time in the force, he served at a number of stations including Meadowfield, Witton Gilbert, Durham City, Harperley Hall, Sedgefield and also as a traffic officer.

He finished his career at Darlington police station as custody sergeant and latterly in the communications room, before retiring, on medical grounds, in January 1994, after gaining his long-service medal.

He met his wife when he was stationed at Harperley Hall and she was visiting a friend who was training there. The couple married in 1980.

Mr Oakley loved dogs and going on holiday. He was also keen on cars.

Mrs Oakley said: "He always used to joke with the young trainee police officers who complained about the training that he had to go through it twice.

"He was a born organiser, but most of all he loved his cars.

"He most enjoyed his time as a traffic officer because he loved being in cars."

Mr Oakley's funeral takes place at Darlington crematorium at 9.45am tomorrow.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, are requested for the British Heart Foundation.