Former March policeman Clive Chapman, known as flash to his former colleagues, has died at the age of 81.

Mr Chapman was born in November 1934 in Nene Parade, March.

He began work at the Eastern Electricity board as a junior clerk and in January 1953 was called up for National Service in the RAF where he served in the Middle East.

He was demobbed in 1955 and returned to March where he met his wife Margaret.

They were married at the Methodist Church in Station Road in June 1955.

Mr Chapman joined the police force in September 1955 and in 1957 was posted to Manea as the village bobby.

He moved back to March in 1968 then went into the office in the prosecution department preparing files for court appearances.

From there he was promoted to working in March as a patrol sergeant, a position he held for 10 years.

During that time he was awarded for bravery for entering the old Marcam Hall in March which he had discovered was on fire in the early hours of the morning.

He entered the blazing building after he heard screams from inside.

Mr Chapman retired from the force in 1985, but returned in a civilian capacity until he finally retired in 1995.

He played football locally for Chain Bridge then Manea, Chatteris, Wimblington Old Boys and March Town. Also for the Isle of Ely Police team.

He was a lifetime supporter of Arsenal.

He began playing bowls while at Manea, initially for the British Legion and then the police team.

He was a member of the March Conservative Club where his appetite for bowls flourished and one of his proudest moments was when he was selected to play for the England police team against Scotland.

He was the first officer from the force to do this.

A devoted family man he leaves wife Margaret, two children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.