A FORMER police chief and his wife have died in a house fire.

Sunderland-born William Farley, 87, and his wife, Marjorie, 86, were killed in a fire in their home in Avenue Road, Abergavenny, last Thursday.

During his career, Mr Farley worked his way up from telephonist with Durham Police to become the first Chief Constable of Gwent Police.

He worked in a shop in Bishop Auckland before joining the Durham force in 1935 and was sworn in as a constable at the age of 20.

In 1940, he joined the Army and saw action across France and Germany, where he was wounded in 1945 when his tank was hit. He was later awarded the Military Cross.

After recovering from his injuries, he was posted to India, later resuming his police career in Durham.

In 1958, he was appoitned assitant chief constable of the Monmouthshire Constabulary, in South Wales, and spent the rest of his life in the area.

He retired in 1981 and was awarded the OBE and the Queen's Police Medal. He was still a Deputy Lieutenant for Gwent.

Mrs Farley was a keen bridge player and golfer.

Police are investigating the fire but a spokesman said yesterday that they believed it was caused accidently.

The couple leave a son, daughter, four grandsons and one great-grandson.