A DROITWICH man has been knighted in the New Year's honours for his services to the police.

Tony Burden, a former high ranking West Mercia police officer was knighted for his 33 years' service to the force.

He is said to have been "delighted and honoured" by the award.

He is currently chief constable of South Wales police and is the immediate past president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

The father-of-three, who was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1995, had formerly been deputy chief constable and assistant chief constable at West Mercia, before being appointed head of the South Wales force in 1996.

During his career, he has had responsibility for race and community relation issues, equality and several operational matters dealing with police use of firearms and firearms licensing.

He has also implemented procedures to send UK police to take part in United Nations peacekeeping duties abroad.

Meanwhile a former West Mercia police officer, who was at the forefront of a Midlands murder case has been awarded with the Queen's Police Medal.

Retired Det Supt Mel Shore helped lead the murder investigation into Rosemary Corcoran's death. Her body was found badly battered in Rashwood.

The 25-year-old mother-of-three, was found by the landlord of the Robin Hood pub, as he walked his dog down a quiet country lane on Remembrance Sunday in 2000.

Rosemary had been run over, beaten and kicked. A massive police hunt, code-named Operation Green, was launched by West Mercia and West Midlands police, involving as many as 250 officer, including Det Supt Shore.

Philip Smith was sent to prison for her murder and that of two other women.