A POLICE chief paid tribute last night to a senior officer who has died just over two years after his retirement.

John Guest, of Chester-le-Street, who served for almost 40 years with Durham Constabulary, died after a short illness on Monday.

He served throughout the north and east of the force area, working his way up to the rank of chief superintendent in charge of the operations division, a post he held for five years.

Born at Hardwick Hall, which was then a maternity home in Sedgefield, Mr Guest started as a police cadet at the age of 16, at the nearby Hardwick Army Camp.

He first went on the beat in Seaham, in 1966, and subsequently served in Houghton-le-Spring, prior to the force's re-organisation in 1974, and in Chester-le-Street, Durham, Stanley and Peterlee.

He was a fundraiser for St Cuthbert's RC Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, worked as a volunteer for Victim Support, and was a member of the standards committee for Chester-le-Street District Council, scrutinising the role of councillors.

A keen fell walker, he maintained a life-long interest in sport and was a regular spectator at the town's cricket club.

Chief Constable Paul Garvin said Mr Guest was widely respected and news of his untimely death had been felt across the force.

Mr Guest leaves a wife, Linda, and a son, Andrew, and daughter, Louise, who are both serving police officers.

A funeral service will be held in St Cuthbert's RC Church, Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street, tomorrow, at 10am, followed by a brief service at Durham Crematorium an hour later.