THE funeral took place on Thursday of a police sergeant described as a "fine ambassador" for the service.

In 1994 Sgt Stephen Croft was named as Greater Manchester Police's Community Police Officer of the Year. He was named a runner-up in the national final.

The honour was given for Sgt Croft's "inspirational" efforts in laying the foundations for crime prevention education across the borough of Bury.

The 49-year-old from Bury died suddenly on Thursday from a suspected heart attack. He was to celebrate his 50th birthday next week.

Born at Bealey's Hospital in 1953, Stephen was educated at Radcliffe Parish Primary School and Cannon Slade Grammar School. He worked for a short time at the East Lancs Papermill before joining the Royal Navy as a helicopter engineer.

In 1972 he joined Lancashire Constabulary and continued working in the Radcliffe, Whitefield, Bury, Breightmet and Bolton areas after the launch of Greater Manchester Police in 1974.

He was promoted to sergeant in the early 1980s and worked as part of Whitefield police township. Later in his career he moved into the Crime Prevention area and helped pioneer a number of crime busting programmes including the highly successful Vehicle Watch initiative. His determination in helping the public defend themselves against criminals earned him the GMP Community Police Officer of the Year award in 1994.

Friends and colleagues will gather today at Overdale Crematorium to pay their respects to the top cop.

His wife of 31 years, Judith, said: "Everyone has been so supportive at this very sad time and I cannot thank them enough.

"Stephen would not want people to grieve for him. He was such a friendly, loyal, protective and strong man who lived life to the full."

Sgt Croft retired from the police force two years ago and spent most of his time looking after his granddaughter Eloise (2). He has three children, one niece and two nephews.