THEY came to pay their final respects to a fallen comrade, special policeman Paul Wilkins who mysteriously dropped dead on his 22nd birthday.

In immaculate uniforms and with perfect timing, 80 police officers and cadets formed a line of honour to proudly salute him at his funeral.

But as the hearse - with Paul's helmet resting on his coffin - and more than 600 mourners snaked past them, the unspeakable tragedy of his death hit home.

The previously composed officers struggled to fight back tears, before some of the teenage cadets wept and embraced each other.

They were among hundreds who turned out at Eltham Crematorium on a bitterly cold Valentine’s Day - chosen for Paul's send-off "because he had a big heart".

Music-mad Paul, from Welling, had started celebrations with two close pals in Pizza Hut in Bexleyheath Broadway when he collapsed at the table.

Desperate friends and restaurant staff battled to keep him alive but the healthy young man died an hour after arriving at hospital. His devastated family and doctors still have no idea how Paul – a Bexley council CCTV operator and special police constable – died.

His brave 13-year-old brother Mitch led mourners beside his mum Pam Oates and her husband Bill.

Behind them were Paul’s dad Stephen Wilkins and his wife Debbie - who have Darren, 11, and Sian, nine - before the throngs of friends and family.

Police officers carried Paul’s coffin as the crowds filed into the chapel to You’ll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins.

Inside, some of his friends read a tribute as did the head of the Met’s Special Constabulary, Chief Officer Lorraine Woolley.

Mourners sang the Lord’s My Shepherd before hearing Paul’s favourite song, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.

After the service they went to “DJ Wilko’s” favourite pub, the Blue Anchor in Bridgen Road, Bexley.