A FORMER police inspector with more than 30 years’ service has died, aged 61.

Alan Sumner, of Lord Street, Rishton, died in hospital on Tuesday after a short mystery illness.

His wife Debi yesterday paid tribute to her “very sociable” husband. She said: “He enjoyed seeing his children and grandchildren.”

A pupil at both St Silas Primary School and Billings Grammar School, Alan joined the police cadets at 16 and went on to become the youngest sergeant in Liverpool – then part of the same force as Lancashire – at 22.

He later became a police inspector covering Burnley, Colne, and Nelson– a role he enjoyed for more than a decade, specialising in firearms and public order.

He also served for some time alongside his brother, Shaun, who himself made chief inspector.

He received several commendations from top cops and was awarded the Rhodesia Medal after acting as a peace-keeper between guerilla fighters and Rhodesian forces in the run up to the 1980 elections.

After retiring in 2000, he spent his spare time visiting his apartment in Spain and touring Europe on a motorbike with Shaun and friends.

It was upon his return from Spain this month that Mr Sumner fell ill.

Shaun said: “He seemed to get better and then he deteriorated. We were brothers in arms. I’m devastated.”

He leaves children Jodi, Luke, Yasmin, and Laura, grandchildren Adam and Grace and sister-in-law Linda.

A funeral service where mourners have been asked to wear colourful clothing will be held at Pleasington Crematorium,Tower Road, at 2.15pm on Thursday.