A GUARD of honour stood in silence outside Maidstone Police Station to mark the funeral of town centre police officer Dean Tring.

About 30 officers from Maidstone and Malling Police's crime reduction unit joined PC Tring's funeral procession.

They were friends and former colleagues of the 38-year-old officer who died at his home in Loose, near Maidstone, on February 17. Mr Tring had been a police officer in Kent for 15 years, spending the the last four with Maidstone's town centre policing unit.

He was also a founder member of the Maidstone branch of the Leukaemia Research Fund. He leaves a widow, Catherine, and two sons, Anthony, seven, and Matthew, nine.

The funeral service was held at All Saints' Church for close friends and family only.

Police spokeswoman Gianna Pollero said: "The sheer number of people who were there was a tribute to how much Dean was thought of."

Members of the family have asked for donations to the Leukaemia Research Fund. These can be sent to PO Box 706, ME15 9GY.