A FORMER police chief has died after a battle against cancer.

Chief Inspector John Bright, who served with the old North Riding Police for 32 years, died at home on May 1, aged 83.

Although he lived at Great Ayton for 30 years, Mr Bright was born at Thornaby, where he attended the Robert Atkinson Central School.

Aged 18, he volunteered to join the Royal Navy at the outbreak of the Second World War and spent most of his service at sea on convoy escort duty on board the HMS Jonquil.

Among the many honours he received, Mr Bright was particularly proud of the George Cross Malta Medal presented to him by the governor of Malta for his part in Operation Pedestal, the convoy that was ultimately responsible for the relief of Malta.

On leaving the Navy in 1946, he joined the North Riding Police, working at stations across the county, including Redcar, Kirkbymoorside, Redmire, Catterick Camp, Loftus, Helmsley, Stokesley, Guisborough and finally Stockton, where after 32 years service he retired with the rank of chief inspector.

He was married to wife Marjorie for 43 years, until her death in 1997.

Their sons, Tim and Andrew, followed in their father's footsteps, also serving as inspectors with North Yorkshire police.

Mr Bright was also a grandfather to twins James and William, aged ten, and Victoria, 21.