THE WIFE of a former Darwen chief inspector today paid tribute to her childhood sweetheart who was a "pillar of society".

Vernon Baker, 71, was born and raised in Tockholes, before serving around the county as a police officer from 1954.

It was not until 1976 that he returned to his roots as head of Darwen police where he served for seven years.

Mr Baker died last month from a form of lung disease after 20 years of retirement and celebrated his golden wedding anniversary in June.

His wife, Doreen, was born in Hoddlesden and the pair met after leaving school at 16, Vernon at Darwen Grammar for Boys and Doreen at the girls' school.They married at Hoddlesden Chapel, which has since been demolished, where Doreen was organist in 1955, then lived all over the county.

Doreen, 71, of Manor Avenue, Penwortham, said: "I can't believe how many cards I have got. It is lovely to hear how people thought as highly of him as I did.

"They all say what a pillar of society he was. They say he is a loss and they describe him as one of life's real gentlemen.

"He served his 30 years in the police and he enjoyed every minute. He started in Pendle and went on to become detective constable before he moved to Hutton as sergeant. He then wanted to go back on he beat and went to Prescot, Merseyside, and later to Fleetwood.

"He was in Darwen at the end of his career and moved back to headquaters for a short time before finishing by teaching the police forces in Saudi Arabia."

Thanks to their son, Nigel, 45, of Samlesbury, the family name will continue in the police force as he is a local community beat manager for the area.

Her daughter, Gillian, has also married a police officer in London.

Mr Baker was also a keen swimmer - as a youngster he swam for Darwen and, in his retirement, was a life-saving instructor for the north Lancashire branch of the Royal Life Saving Society where he had a trophy named after him.