THE family of a police officer who was shot dead during a training exercise have paid tribute to 'everyone's best friend'.

PC Ian Terry's wife, Joanne, 31, and children Lauren, four, and John, three, said that they had meant the world to him' and he was the best dad'.

They said that everyone who met PC Terry couldn't help being touched by his personality'.

The 32-year-old, of Red Spar Road, Briercliffe, was playing the role of a criminal when he was hit in the chest by a shot from a fellow officer on Monday.

Photographs released by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) show the dad-of-two in happy times on a recent family holiday in Majorca and smiling in his police uniform.

The statement released by Joanne and family said: "Ian was the best dad. His children meant the world to him, as did Joanne.

"He was everyone's best friend and he is just such a loss to everyone he touched.

"Ian lived for his family and his job. They meant everything to him and he loved them both so much.

"We can take some comfort in the fact that he knew in return how much love and pride we, as a family, had for him. He had the same love, respect and pride from his friends and work colleagues.

"All his life Ian has been such a genuine and caring person that everyone who met him couldn't help being touched by his personality. He is such a great and tragic loss to his family, friends, colleagues and to society."

PC Terry, who is believed to have attended Barden High School in Burnley, joined GMP in 1997 and had worked as a firearms officer since 2002.

His brother, Paul, is also a Greater Manchester Police officer working for the road traffic unit.

The statement from PC Terry's family added: "It was typical of Ian that every time we told him to stay safe, because we worried about him so much, he would say, 'Worry about my brother Paul because I know the dangers I'm facing and have backup at my side.

"When he has to stop someone in a vehicle he doesn't know what's going to face him and he's on his own'."