A LONG-serving East Lancashire detective has left the force after 30 years of service.

Det Sgt Steve Earnshaw, who was born and brought up in Nelson, joined the constabulary in 1972 and has served throughout the north west during his time in the force.

He received numerous commendations from judges following the many cases he worked on.

These included one of East Lancashire's most notorious murders, that of young mum Azia Khan in 1998.

Azia was doused in petrol and set her ablaze in a Rossendale lay-by four years ago.

Her killer and father of Miss Khan's young daughter Neville Chance, 40, was found hanged in his prison cell four days after being jailed for life.

Chance, of Beechfield Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, had denied murdering the young mum but was convicted by a jury at Preston Crown Court.

Steve, 51, served in Rochdale and Oldham before moving to Lancashire in 1981 when he was posted as a detective in Nelson.

He was attached to the Serious Crime Squad and promoted Det Sgt in 1986 when he moved to Accrington.

In 1988 he began five years service with the north west Regional Crime Squad and then served as a Det Sgt in Rossendale until 1997.

Since then he has served throughout Pendle and Burnley until his retirement yesterday.

Steve said: "I've worked on a number of major incidents and I have enjoyed my career in the force, especially in Pennine Division.

"I'll miss the colleagues I've worked with over the years, but I am looking forward to new challenges and a change of direction."

Steve, who played cricket for Nelson before he joined the force, said he was planning to spend some of his new found spare time carrying out home improvements at his house in Nelson.