The heartbroken widow of a former Thanet police officer who died after suffering an asthma attack is hoping an upcoming inquest will end her two year anguish of waiting for answers regarding his death.

Stephen Thurman-Newell dialled 999 asking for an ambulance to be sent to his home shortly after returning home from work.

But in a tragic turn the 62-year-old was pronounced dead just 30 minutes after paramedics arrived.

The father-of-two had served with Kent Police for 30 years, including as an acting sergeant and a response officer.

He received many accolades, namely a number of chief constable and judge commendations - and was known by colleagues as a "street warrior".

After retiring in 2010, he and wife Susan - who had been together for 20 years - moved from Thanet to Somerset.

Mr Thurman-Newell, also a grandfather to four, was employed as a driver transporting agricultural students to college as well as a pall bearer.

He called for an ambulance soon after getting back to his home in Wincanton, Somerset, on September 16, 2016.

Mrs Thurman-Newell said: "There’s not a day goes by that I don’t miss Stephen.

"He was my loving husband and constant companion who would do anything for his family and friends and who was also proud to have dedicated almost half his life to Kent Police protecting the people of Kent.

"While time has moved on since Stephen’s death our family hasn’t.

"Our family is now incomplete and having to spend family birthdays and what should be other special occasions such as Christmas, not knowing the full reasons why he died.

"While understanding that the inquest and listening to the evidence of what happened in the lead up to Stephen’s death is going to be extremely upsetting, I am hopeful it will mean that at least I will now be given the answers to the many questions I have raised."

Mr Thurman-Newell also used to play football and rugby for Kent Police, was an instructor for the police gym, continuing to use the gym regularly since moving to Somerset.

He was also a qualified open water diver, diving in the English Channel and warmer waters abroad, and continued to be an enthusiastic palaeontologist, on the Jurassic coastline.

Following his death, Mrs Thurman-Newell instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support her through the inquest process.

Eleri Davies, expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: "Not knowing the full picture of what happened that evening has caused a great deal of anguish for Susan and the rest of the family as they attempted to come to terms with Stephen's sudden death.

"The family rightly have a number of serious concerns about what happened to Stephen and hope that the inquest will now provide them with the vital answers they deserve.

"If during the course of the inquest any areas where patient care can be improved are identified, it is crucial that appropriate measures are put in place."

He left behind wife Susan, son and daughter Anthony and Penny, two stepsons, Richard and Matthew, along with four granddaughters and two step grandchildren.

An inquest into his death is due to begin tomorrow (November 27), listed for three days.