TWO former policemen with footballing talents have been presented with accolades for their service to the community.

David Peacock and Charlie Bell, who have both represented their country in the beautiful game were given their Middlesbrough Mayor Awards by Ray Mallon.

Mr Peacock began his career with Cleveland Police in 1979 as a beat bobby in North Ormesby.

He retired in February this year when he was Middlesbrough Schools Liaison Officer.

A keen sportsman, Mr Peacock recently retired as a qualified FA referee after 20 years service and refereed local teams around the South Bank area.

He is a qualified goal keeping coach and still holds a UEFA B Badge.

He represented the police in the England v Iceland match in the early 80s.

Mr Peacock has always spent a lot of his time working voluntarily in the local community helping to set up the Croft Tree Youth Club in Thorntree.

He organised football and gala days and still holds goal keeping coaching sessions for youngsters at Teesside Athletic Club in Redcar.

He is now settling into to his latest role as a teaching assistant at St. Edward’s RC School in Middlesbrough.

Charlie Bell was offered trials with Middlesbrough Football Club in 1970 when he was just 11 years old.

He joined Boro as an apprentice when Jack Charlton was manager turning professional at 18 years old and made his first team debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in April 1978.

In July 1981 he joined Mansfield Town where he played 97 games scoring 17 goals in two seasons under manager and ex-Boro player Stuart Boam.

He joined Nottingham Police Force in 1984 being posted to CID after two years probation.

Between 1985 and 1986 he represented British and English football teams before being transferred to Cleveland Police.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1992 and Inspector in 2001 totalling 20 years service in Middlesbrough.

Mr Mallon said: “These two men in their own spheres of police work have been truly outstanding and are a true reflection of real police service.”