TRIBUTES have been paid to leading former Lancashire police officer Anthony Ormiston who has died at the age of 82.

Mr Ormiston spent 38 years with Lancashire Constabulary but also served in the Coldstream Guards abroad in the Middle East and at home for ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.

Even as he rose through the ranks to become chief inspector, his army experience would remain with him for all that time.

Son Julian said: “He maintained a lifelong connection with the Coldstream Guards, he was secretary of the Liverpool Coldstream Guards Association for over 40 years, so it certainly stayed with him all his life.”

Born in 1937 in Wetheral, Cumbria, Mr Ormiston first came to Lancashire on the completion of his military service in 1959.

Beginning as a PC in Widnes he would go on to serve in various uniform and CID roles over the years.

This was before the reorganisation of the county reduced Lancashire’s size, meaning that at the time PC Ormiston had a huge area to cover.

Fortunately, an innovation was on hand to help and during his time in Widnes Mr Ormiston was one of the first officers to serve in a mobile “crime car” which inspired the popular 1960s television series Z-Cars.

His dedication was rewarded in 1987 with a promotion to the role of chief inspector responsible for force welfare, a rank he would hold until his retirement in 1997.

Throughout all this time Mr Ormiston’s dedication to his old regiment and deep interest in military history remained and he was able to devote himself to them more fully on retiring.

A passion of his was securing a memorial for the First and Second World Wars for his adopted Pendleton in the Ribble Valley.

Julian said: “It took about 10 years before we finally got it in 2017.

“It was quite a triumph for him because Pendleton lost quite a high percentage in the two wars.”

Mr Ormiston also travelled around the county giving talks to organisations ranging from golf clubs to women’s institutes on military history topics, such as the heritage of the Victoria Cross.

Along with his love of golf and dedication to the Coldstream Guards Association, this kept Mr Ormiston more than occupied after hanging up his policing badge, as did being a husband to the late Sheila, father to Julian, stepfather to Tim and grandfather to Tabitha.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “Tony was a giant of a man in more ways than one. He served Her Majesty the Queen during his life, both as a Coldstream guardsman and in the Police.

“He was such an influence on me and such a great friend that I said prayers for Tony in the Church in the House of Commons during the time of his funeral.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.”

Tony Ormiston was laid to rest at a private ceremony at All Saints Church with a memorial service due to take place at a later date.

Donations in his memory can be made to All Saints Church or the Regimental Colonel’s Fund, care of the Reverend Roland Nicholson, 25 St. Mary’s Court, Church Lane, Mellor, BB2 7JE.