FORMER Cadbury's crme egg sales manager Mike Tupman from Burbage is a very special man, and has an award from Chief Constable Elizabeth Neville to prove it.

Mr Tupman, 59, has been named as the Wiltshire Constabulary Special of the Year.

The award was presented to him at a ceremony at the divisional police HQ in Salisbury last Thursday by the chief constable and the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Sir Christopher Benson.

Father-of-two Mr Tupman has been a special for 17 years and is very popular with local people.

People in Marlborough probably see more of Mr Tupman as he patrols the town centre in his uniform than any other police officer.

He devotes about 40 hours of voluntary service a month with the special constabulary. His award is in recognition of his continued dedication and commitment.

Mr Tupman, who has four grandchildren, said: "I joined when I was 42 because I broke my leg playing football and I was stuck for something to do on Saturday afternoons.

"It was at the time of the miners' strike so they were recruiting as many new specials as they could. I really do love it."

One of his daughters, Helen, was also formerly a special.

Mr Tupman is part-time manager of the CCTV centre in Wootton Bassett and on Monday welcomed Princess Anne, who was opening the expanded centre. He has strongly supported the recent campaign to introduce CCTV in Marlborough.