A PERMANENT memorial has been unveiled to a Kent police officer mown down by a speeding motorist in December 2000 (Karina Hodder writes).

Relatives, friends, former colleagues gathered to remember Thanet PC Jon Odell. The erection of the marble memorial was arranged by the Police Memorial Trust, a national charity chaired by film director Michael Winner.

He joined Home Secretary David Blunkett and Kent's Chief Constable, Sir David Phillips, to pay tribute to the popular officer.

Mr Winner said: "Jon Odell had many plans for the future. He wanted to become a crash investigator, he wanted to continue with his hobbies of archery, cooking and making models, and eventually set up a garden centre with his partner Kathy. But Jon didn't have a future.

"He came to this spot one night in December 2000, and as he tried to stop a speeding car, it hit him, dragged him along the road and killed him.

"I think it is only right that the landscape of Margate should changed just a little to accommodate a permanent reminder of the life and death of Jon Odell."

More than 100 people gathered at the spot on Shottendane Road where PC Odell was struck by a car driven by Wayne Rule, who was later jailed for manslaughter.

Sir David Phillips said: "It is important that we remember, but also that we are reminded, because we know how fickle the public perception can be."

Mr Blunkett praised a group of people "who go about their work, never knowing if today is the day they get killed while doing so."

The Home Secretary unveiled the memorial and laid the first wreath. The ceremony was attended by scores of people, including Tony Odell, the PC's father, his partner, Kathy Kidd and her 14-year-old son, Stephen.