A POLICEMAN and celebrated artist has died aged 46 after a battle with pneumonia.

Simon Evans, a police constable based in Burnley, who was responsible for crime prevention, died leaving sons Felix, 22, and Finn, 20.

He joined Lancashire Constabulary 20 years ago, having previously worked in the art department of Blackburn College on graduation from Coventry University with an art degree.

Throughout his police career he retained his interest in art, specialising in metal work.

PC Evans, who lived in Trawden, was commissioned to make several public sculptures around the country, including a cross for the interior of Pleasington Priory.

A life-sized horse made from scrap steel was erected beside the Warwick Road roundabout in Coventry in 1986, and there are examples of his work in woodlands throughout the Midlands.

He died on April 3 and many of his colleagues attended the funeral in Accrington on April 19.

PC Evans' love of motorbikes was reflected when a group of ‘Hell’s Angels’ arrived to give a motorbike procession.

Supterintendent Steve Pemberton, operations manager at Pennine Division, said: “He was considered to be an experienced officer commanding a great deal of respect from colleagues and the public across Pennine Division.

“Having worked across all the towns within the division, he had a real understanding for the public’s needs, using his wealth of experience to support others and deliver a quality service.

“The latter part of his career was spent within crime prevention and he was responsible for numerous initiatives that had a direct effect on public safety.”

Mr Pemberton said he worked with Simon while on patrol in the Rossendale Valley in the early part of his career and that he was 'privileged enough to call him a friend'.

He said: "Simon had an extremely large friend base in the service and I know, from having spoken to them how much he will be missed.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

PC Evans' brother Robin, who is standing as Blackburn's British National Party candidate in the election, said: “He meant so much to me and many others.

“There will now be a huge empty space beside me as I walk towards the future.”

The family now hope to scatter his ashes at sea, as he requested, and also near to the site of former house Five Ways in the Haslingden countryside where he, brothers Robin, Timothy and Justin grew up with parents Mary and John.