A POLICE award is to be renamed after a courageous Worcester woman who lost her four-year fight with cancer in May.

Dee Reading, who died aged 56, worked for the West Midlands police in the fingerprint enhancement unit in Birmingham.

Last December she was presented with the Woman in Policing award for courage for displaying her own bravery in the face of a series of tragic events in her life - which included her 20-year-old daughter Vicki being killed in a car accident and Mrs Reading being diagnosed with colon cancer.

It is this award which is being renamed in her honor.

Her husband, Charles Reading, of Heron Grange, Tolladine, said he was proud she had been honored in this way.

"The force told me on the day of Dee's funeral that they would re-name the award. They have been really nice. They have invited me to the award ceremony in November to give the award for the first time in Dee's memory. It's a lovely tribute. It shows the impression she left with so many people in the force. I feel really proud she has got her name on something permanent. "

And for Mr Reading, the award being named after his wife also has an extra importance for him.

"It is the same with our daughter Vicki. She has her name on an arts award at Nunnery Wood High School. This is the first year that I was invited to present it to one of the pupils. It is nice to know that Dee and my daughter have their name in lights and people can remember them," he added.

In July Mrs Reading also posthumously received the Brian Newbury Memorial Award for Police Staff in recognition of outstanding performance and high motivation.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "The Dee Reading Award was formerly called the Police Staff Member of the Year Award. Dee herself was presented with a bravery award last December in recognition of her brave fight against cancer.

"Dee was an inspiration to all of us in WMP and we feel the naming of this award after her is an appropriate way to remember her."

A fund has been set up by her family to raise money for the St Richard's Hospice which helped her in the last days of her life.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/deereading