Former Metropolitan police officer John Baggs, of Calne, died peacefully at home at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer.

Mr Baggs was the husband of former Calne Mayor, Mercy and there was standing room only at his funeral in Holy Trinity Church on Friday.

He was born Albert John Baggs in India and undertook part of his education in Bangalore while his soldier father worked at a prisoner of war camp.

His two brothers, Dick and Bob were born in England, but the family did not return to the UK permanently until John was 18.

His widow said: “The family came back and fore to England on leave, but John spent the whole of the war in India.

“He went to school out there and the funny thing is that he used to criticise our daughter’s school reports but his were exactly the same.

“Danielle’s teachers used to say she had a talent for leadership but it was not always used in the right direction.”

When he returned to Calne Mr Baggs worked in the Harris mill before joining the police force in 1951.

While working as a police constable in the Metropolitan Police Force Mr Baggs received four commendations for bravery and was involved in many demonstrations, including the Brixton and poll tax riots.

Mrs Baggs said: “I used to tell him he was always poking his nose in where it was not needed but he was a fantastic policeman.

“He was happy being a PC and did not want promotion.

“My brother arranged for the Metropolitan Police flag to be draped on his coffin for the funeral, which was a nice touch.”

Mr and Mrs Baggs got married in 1956 and moved to Calne, where Mr Baggs enjoyed walking their dogs and fishing.

“He was very popular with the people in Calne and the kids in the drop-in centre,” Mrs Baggs said.

“He was just a lovely man and when we started up the drop-in centre he used to come in and help out.

“The kids all knew him and a couple of them who are older now came to the funeral.”

Mr Baggs leaves his wife Mercy, daughters Alison and Donna and grandchildren Jack, Lucy, Charlie and Charlotte.