THE funeral has taken place of a former Warrington police officer who died in a motorcycle accident.

PC Tony Heaton, who was based at

Warrington Police Station for nearly a decade, was buried at Crewe Crematorium following a service at St Chad's Church, Winsford

Around 170 police officers lined the road leading to the church in remembrance of the 38-year-old.

Chief ConstablePeter Fahy said: "Tony Heaton was an outstanding and dedicated officer.

"For him, policing was about making sure that people who committed crime were stopped and dealt with at the first opportunity.

"He was a forthright, committed and engaging officer and our hearts go out to his family."

PC Heaton died on Chester Road, Northwich, last Monday when his red Triumph motorbike failed to negotiate a sweeping left hand bend.

PC Heaton joined the force in 1992 having served as a lance corporal in the Royal Engineers. He received his commendation in 1998 after arresting more than 400 offenders using the road to commit crime in an 18-month period.

The keen rugby player and sportsman moved to Cheshire police headquarters in Winsford in 2002.

PC Heaton leaves a wife and two children. A statement from his family said: "He was a truly supportive husband to Pam and devoted dad to his children Jessica and Max."