EXPERIENCED scuba diver and town bobby Bill Snelling died just minutes after his 102nd dive but his family say at least he died doing what he loved.

Det Sgt Snelling is believed to have suffered a heart attack as he climbed back on board a boat off the shores of the holiday island of Ibiza, last Friday.

His daughter, Hazel, said her father had just completed his dive alongside a team of German rescue divers and a nurse but he collapsed and they could not revive him.

She said he was as passionate about his hobby as he was about his role as an old-fashioned beat bobby in High Wycombe parading the streets, and heading the town centre police team.

She said: "It is a shock. He had even had a medical just a month before and had been fine, but at least he died doing one of the things he loved."

The well-known 50-year-old officer had taken up scuba diving five years ago while on holiday with his wife in Egypt.

Hazel added: "He loved life and he loved High Wycombe. People either loved him or loathed him but he did make a difference to the town."

A public funeral is expected to be held at the All Saints Parish Church in High Wycombe.