A MEMORIAL garden to commemorate officers and staff who have died in service will open at Cambridgeshire Police headquarters next week.

Lord-Lieutenant, Hugh Duberly, will open the garden on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by the loved ones of deceased officers and staff.

The garden is situated at the front of the headquarters building in Huntingdon and has been designed in the shape of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary force crest.

A fully restored police box from Cambridge forms the centre piece. The blue box was situated in St Andrews Street and was in use until the early eighties.

The garden will include plaques holding 190 names of officers and staff who have lost their lives since 1800.

The project cost just over �25,000 with the Police Federation contributing �15,000 of the total cost from funds previously used for charitable works.

The Police Authority and Cambridgeshire Constabulary have both contributed �2000. The remainder has been contributed by independent donators.

Insp Fran Jones, project leader, said: “I would like to thank all those who have offered contributions and support.

“It is important to permanently remember those who have passed away whilst working for the force over the years.

“Officers and staff often find themselves in demanding and dangerous situations and we hope this garden will go some way to acknowledging the sacrifices that have been made.”