TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known and popular Dorset policeman who served the Wareham area as a dedicated constable.

Michael Davis was just 53 when he died from cancer at the Joseph Weld Hospice last week.

His wife, Sheila, said: "He absolutely loved his job, he really did, and there are so many cards that have arrived over the last few days - going on for 100 already.

"He died from cancer and was very brave. We are expecting there to be a lot of people at his funeral service.

"He did a lot of varied work for the police including wildlife and farm policing. He did his work on a bicycle for a while and was a motorcycle policeman. It is such a shame that he was taken so soon - he was only 53 years old."

Mr Davis was featured a number of times in the Daily Echo during his time with the police including an incident in 1993 when he used his firearms training to rush in and seize what appeared to be an automatic handgun from a threatening suspect.

Later that year Mr Davis was one of two PCs who were violently beaten up by a gang of drunk youths.

He sustained two black eyes and bruising before the pair were rescued by a passing RAF officer.

Four days later PC Davis was back on duty.

He also spearheaded a Farm Watch campaign in the Purbeck area to crack down on rural crime and told the Daily Echo in 1995 how poachers were killing deer and mutilating their corpses.

Sadly Mr Davis had to retire early from policing in 1998 after a car accident on duty when his vehicle was shunted from behind.

Spinal injuries meant he could no longer continue in his work.

Mr Davis leaves his wife and his son Peter, 27 and daughter Emma, 30.

His funeral service will be held at St Nicholas Church, Moreton at 2.30pm on Friday November 23.

It is requested that any donations should be made to the Joseph Weld Hospice c/o Woods Funeral Service, 11A Icen Way, Dorchester.