A WARRINGTON police officer, who was awarded the force's highest honour and has spent almost 30 years serving the town, will soon be retiring.

Det Sgt Dave Betts, head of the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Unit at Warrington, retires next week, bringing down the curtain on an illustrious career.

He was awarded The Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service to the community, and received the medal from the Queen at Buckingham Palace last year.

Despite his retirement, he has vowed to continue his community work, including being a director of both St Rocco's Hospice and The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust, and also the instigator of the hugely successful Warrington Youth Partnership.

And he is also looking forward to a new challenge, working within the security arena for a Warrington company.

He told the Guardian: "I've enjoyed working alongside members of the community. It's given me great job satisfaction to feel that I've made a contribution.

"One of the great things about the job is that it's allowed me to become a part of Warrington life, not just the Constabulary. I've learned how great the people of Warrington really are."