The people of Mere clubbed together to raise around £700 to fund a memorial bench for their village policeman.

The community raised funds in memory of John Hancock, who was their policeman for nearly 30 years.

John passed away suddenly on May 21, 2020, at the age of 71.

The memorial bench was unveiled on July 23 at Lords Mead, Mere, where Mr Hancock lived with his wife, Rita, for 27 years.

When Covid prevented many from attending John's cremation last year, many villagers stood in the streets of Mere to show their respects by clapping when the hearse passed.

A Justgiving page was set up for the bench and the plaque as well as collection boxes placed in various locations in the village.

Daughter Angela Hancock-Norris said: "Most of the money we got was from people donating to the Justgiving page, which was fantastic. It went towards the bench and the plaque.

"He was very well-known. I didn't realise how popular. The number of cards, messages on social media was breathtaking.

"People lined the streets for him on the day of his funeral. He was my dad and I love him, but to see on the day that everyone came out and clapped, it was a privilege that he was my dad. I felt really proud."

The family say they are hoping to hold a memorial service when it is safe to do so.

John joined the Wiltshire Force as a police cadet in 1965 before serving as a police officer from 1968 through to his retirement in 1997.

After retiring, Mr Hancock returned as a volunteer at Mere Police Station and was a well-known face in the front office, a post he held until his death.

In this voluntary role, John was a regular fixture at the local café, running a drop in session for members of the community to receive advice and information.

In 2019, he was awarded Police Support Volunteer of the Year Award at the South West Region Special Constabulary and Police Volunteer Awards.

Paying tribute to Mr Hancock last year, PC Rich Salter, who knew John as a colleague and friend for over 25 years, said: “John was the embodiment of local policing.

"He clearly made an impression on me because 10 years after his retirement, I returned to Mere as the Beat Officer.

"He was a fount of all knowledge regarding Mere and an absolute asset to our small team. He will be sadly missed by us all – never were there a truer gentleman.”

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