A TOP Vale police chief, whose career was ruined at the hands of a careless driver, has been forced to take early retirement because of his injuries.

Forty-nine-year-old Ian Browning from Badsey spoke to the Journal on Tuesday - his last day - after 28 years with West Mercia Police Force.

On January 7, 2002 the father of two, and chief inspector of Redditch Division, was travelling home along the A4538 at Wyre Piddle when his car was in a head on collision with a First Midland Red bus at the Lower Moor turning.

It took an hour for the fire service to cut Mr Browning out of his Ford Mondeo, then he was rushed to hospital where he lay unconscious for four days as doctors struggled to save his life.

He spent a further six weeks in intensive care with a serious head injury, a crushed left hand and a fractured femur.

Mr Browning said: "When I came round I couldn't remember anything at all from about three months before the accident. I have had many operations since and the pin from my hip to my knee has been replaced twice, but my leg is never going to be right." He added: "I felt anger at first, but life is too short. Devastating things happen to people all the time - you just have to get on with your life."

The driver of the bus was convicted of driving without due care, disqualified for 12 months and fined £200 with £200 costs at Worcester Magistrates Court on December 18 last year.

The accident happened one week before Mr Browning was due to attend a promotions board for the post of superintendent. "I was confidently looking forward to it but all that came to an abrupt halt," he said. Despite the use of walking sticks to get about, Mr Browning took a desk job with the force for three months, but finally accepted early retirement when more operations seemed imminent." He said the force had been good to him and he hoped to return again, perhaps in a civilian capacity, as soon as he is fitter.

He started his police career in Telford, was a PC in Evesham before he went to headquarters in the CID and became detective sergeant. He enjoyed five years in the drug squad based at Hindlip, and then became Inspector back at Evesham police station. Mr Browning said: I think the most enjoyable time was spent at Evesham. I felt I was back in touch with my people where I could really do some good. I would like to thank people in the Vale for all their support. Over the 16 months they been stopping me in the street with their good wishes."