A POLICE constable who collapsed while on duty has lost her fight for life.

PC Cate Sutcliffe, 34, of Waddington, collapsed after suffering a brain aneurism during a "non-confrontational" incident in the village on Sunday, August 8.

Her parents today spoke of their anguish after agreeing for her life support machine to be turned off on Friday evening and said: "She lived life to the full."

The PC had served at Blackburn and Great Harwood police stations before moving to Clitheroe and Whalley six years ago,

She was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, and later transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital, where she underwent surgery to stem the bleeding from a burst artery on her brain.

PC Sutcliffe's parents, Clitheroe Town Council and Ribble Valley borough councillors Stephen and Margaret Sutcliffe, thought their daughter was getting better as she had begun speaking and moving around again.

But her condition worsened towards the end of last week, and she lapsed into a coma, never regaining consciousness.

A family statement said: "It has been a very difficult two weeks and we are in deep shock over the loss of our daughter, Catherine.

"Cate's condition appeared to be improving after surgery, and we were optimistic that, in time, she would make a full recovery, but she took a turn for the worse earlier this week and after lapsing into a coma on Wednesday, never regained consciousness.

"The last fortnight has been an extremely difficult time for the whole family and we were utterly overwhelmed by the strength of the support we received from the local community.

"Without this unstinting help from Cate's colleagues in the police, the staff at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital and her network of friends, this terrible experience would have been much more difficult to bear.

"Cate was a larger than life character known to hundreds of people throughout the Ribble Valley and further afield. She lived life to the full and touched a great many people's lives in positive ways. Cate will be deeply missed."

Cate lived in Waddington and had a long-term boyfriend Jonathan Grace. She is well known in the village, having worked in The Moorcock public house.

Lancashire Constabulary, Chief Constable Paul Stephenson said: "Cate was a valuable and well-liked member of the Constabulary and Ribble Valley policing team and was renowned locally for her sense of humour and enthusiasm.

"She was a dedicated police officer and was committed to her profession."

Chief Superintendent David Mallaby, Divisional Commander of Eastern Division, said: "Cate spent 13 years serving the communities of East Lancashire and it is not surprising that she was well known and well liked both within the organisation and outside.

"We are devastated at the loss of a valued colleague and she will be sadly missed - we have lost a great friend."

Insp Bob Ford, the officer in charge of policing in the Ribble Valley, said: "Her friends and colleagues here in the Ribble Valley are devastated at the loss of a true friend who was full of life and enthusiasm. Cate will be remembered for her vitality and sense of humour and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of working with her."

Mayor of the Ribble Valley Coun Charles Warkman said: "This is an appalling tragedy. Catherine worked with the local authority on many occasions. She was highly thought of by all who dealt with her.

"At this time, our deepest sympathies go to her family and friends, a sentiment I am sure will be shared by all the Ribble Valley community who knew her."

Most recently, PC Sutcliffe had been based at Whalley Police Station, having joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1991.

After spending a short time working in Blackburn Police Station's custody suite, PC Sutcliffe moved to the incident support unit based in Great Harwood before switching to Clitheroe and Whalley six years ago.

Brain aneurysms affect around one in 10,000 people and are caused when the weakening of an artery leads to a blister forming on its wall, causing a burst.