A SPECIAL constable who has retired after 31 years has been given a police commendation.

Bob Ormerod, 56, who works in Blackburn, joined up when his wife Susan was a civilian worker for the Lancashire constabulary.

Since then he has risen in the ranks to sergeant and then divisional officer, a position he held for more than 20 years, mostly in the Rossendale area.

However, in his last five years with the specials he chose to drop back down to constable when his work as general manager for B&M Longworth became more demanding.

It is his work commitments that have finally made him decide to retire.

Bob, from Bacup, says he has enjoyed the 31 years, although he has seen many changes.

He said: "For a time the importance of having special officers was not recognised, but I think that has really started to change again.

"There is a lot of work going on in that direction and I am sorry that I won't be a part of that."

But he said that during his time he always had a good working relationship with the regular police officers in the Rossendale area.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-one was given a tankard and a Divisional Commander's Commendation at a special ceremony at Burnley Police Station.

Pennine Division is always on the look out for new specials. Anyone interested can contact PC Chris Collett at Barnoldswick on 01282 472804.