Pc Ann Morris and Chief Inspector Nick Ashley receive the cheque from James McGeeTHE death of ex-policeman Milroy Clarke has prompted the chairman of their local residents' group to donate money to a police fund.

Milroy Clarke, 70, and his wife Joan, 55, were found stabbed to death at their Berryfield Park home in Melksham in December.

James McGee, chairman of the Berryfield and Melksham Tenants and Residents Association, donated £225.50 to the Police Benevolent Fund, a charity that supports police widows, widowers and pensioners, on Tuesday. Mr McGee, 60, said he had been shocked by the shooting of Leeds policeman Ian Broadhurst, who was gunned down on Boxing Day, as well as by the death of Mr Clarke.

Last year Mr McGee's TARA was chosen to host the West Wiltshire Housing Association's tenants executive Christmas dance.

The party, which included a buffet and raffle, raised £225.50 and as chairman Mr McGee chose which charity to donate the money to.

He said: "Nobody in my family has got any connection with the police but I thought you always hear about other charities and you never ever hear about the Police Benevolent Fund."

He presented the cheque to Chief Inspector Nick Ashley, of the west and north Wiltshire division, at Wiltshire Police divisional headquarters on Wednesday.

Michael Clarke, 20, has been charged with the double murder of his parents Milroy and Joan Clarke. He was due to appear at Bristol Crown Court for a plea and direction hearing today.

A second man has been charged in connection with the deaths. Stuart Painter, 21, of Beanacre Road, Melksham was charged on Wednesday with assisting an offender. He was released on bail and will appear at Chippenham magistrates' court on March 10.