TOWN crier and police officer Bill Snelling died of a suspected heart attack after scuba diving while on holiday in Ibiza.

Detective Sergeant Snelling collapsed on Friday after enjoying his favourite hobby on the popular holiday island.

His wife Ann is back in England and she said the whole family has been left in a state of shock. Daughter Hazel said her father loved life and tried to live it to the full.

The 50-year-old Yorkshireman joined Thames Valley Police in 1985 and spent most of his career working in the High Wycombe and Amersham areas. Most recently, he started work with the Family Protection Unit at Marlow.

Superintendent David Belcher, head of the unit, said: "We are all devastated to learn of this tragic news.

"His experience and professionalism will be a great loss both to his colleagues and also to those he worked with in other caring agencies."

As well as being town crier for civic engagements he also put everything into combating crime in High Wycombe as Town Centre Officer, which he undertook for two and a half years.

"I'm still in shock," said High Wycombe Mayor Nigel Vickery.

"He was a great servant to the town, not only in his role as town crier but also through his police work. I was looking forward to him being town crier for many years. I and the whole town will join his family in mourning."

Full tribute in Friday's Bucks Free Press