A MAN who served in Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley for 23 years as a police sergeant has died at the age of 55 following a heart attack.

Barrie March, who moved to Kidderminster in 1977, was a Police Federation representative for 12 years, and gave unstinting service looking after the welfare of colleagues.

Born in Yorkshire, he joined the Green Howards in 1960, transferring to the Parachute Regiment where he reached the rank of sergeant.

In 1969 he joined Cleveland Police at Middlesborough before marrying his first wife, Margaret, with whom he had a daughter Sarah.

Mr March was a football referee in local leagues and a keep-fit fan, both of which were brought to a sudden halt in the mid-80s by heart bypass surgery. After recovering, he returned to both refereeing and running.

In 1992, his wife Margaret died and three years later he married Pat, a clerical worker at Kidderminster Police Station, and the couple later moved to Long Bank, Bewdley.

Following his retirement last year, Mr March worked as an usher at Droitwich Magistrates Court.

Supt Ron Whitfield, divisional police commander for Kidderminster, said: "We were all devastated to hear the tragic news of Barrie's death.

"He had given 30 years of loyal police service to the community, over 20 of those in Wyre Forest.

"Also in his role as the Police Federation representative he had provided valuable assistance and support to many fellow officers. He deserved a long and happy retirement."

Mr Whitfield's predecessor Peter Picken said: "Both as a friend and a colleague you could not ask for better than Barrie March - keen, committed, caring and a man of the highest integrity."

Mr March's funeral was held at St Anne's Church, Bewdley, on Tuesday when the bearer party was made up of former police colleagues.

Police formed a guard of honour between the town bridge and the church.