LANCASHIRE’S Sir Paul Stephenson has become the country’s top policeman after being appointed head of the Metropolitan force.

It completes the remarkable rise of the former Lancashire Constabulary Chief Constable who started his working life as a shoe salesman.

The position means he now controls a £3.5 billion policing budget and is responsible for a staff of more than 50,000 people.

We spoke to former colleagues and his school to get their view of Sir Paul.

Lancashire Constabulary Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said: ”I am delighted Sir Paul has been appointed as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and I’d like to offer him my congratulations.

“This is a richly deserved reward for many years of hard work and commitment to policing and is testament to the work he has done throughout his career.”

Bosses of the Stacksteads-based shoe manufacturer where Sir Paul started his working life are ‘extremely proud’ of his success.

Angela O’Gorman, human resources manager at the Sutton Group, said: “He worked at the E.Sutton and Son site in Vale Street where we used to manufacture footwear.

“He started there as a trainee manager. He didn’t stay for long and obviously moved on to bigger and better things.

“The one thing that that stood out about him is that he had a full head of blond hair but now he hasn’t got any.

"I’m sure that’s nothing to do with the fact he worked here!

"We are extremely proud of what he has achieved.”

Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale police commander Neil Smith has known Sir Paul since they were swimmers who competed internationally.

Chief Superintendent Smith said: “He trained in Manchester and I was Bury based. I did backstroke and freestyle and Paul was a freestyle sprinter.

“We both worked together on the underwater search unit in Lancashire and we both went for our special courses and interviews and he was successful as commissioner.

“I was unsuccessful and ended up as the chief superintendent at Burnley so up until then our careers had followed very similar paths.

“I think Paul brought a lot to Lancashire when he came back as deputy and then as chief.

“He cared about the people of Lancashire as he was brought up here where his mother and family still live. He was a very, very strong leader and led others by example.

“He wouldn’t allow anybody to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.

“He brought the force from a mid table performing force to the best in the country.”

Sir Paul was head boy of Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.

Headteacher of the Waterfoot school, Marc Morris, below, said: “Everyone at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar was delighted to hear that Sir Paul has been appointed as the commissioner.

“We offer him our warmest congratulations and will be celebrating his achievement in today’s assembly.

“I am confident that his achievements will serve as an inspiration to current BRGS students as they prepare for examinations, universities and professional careers.

“We wish him every success in his new role.”