FORMER TV news anchorman Bruce Hockin has been named the UK's Crimestopper of the Year.

Bruce, now a partner with Bristol PR consultancy the Public Relations People, was given the accolade at the charity's annual national conference.

After taking early retirement from HTV West, Bruce served as chairman of the Crimestoppers West County Board for two years and now serves on boards in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Avon & Somerset.

Since it was introduced in the West of England in 1990, Crime-stoppers has helped police arrest nearly 1,200 criminals.

It has also helped recover nearly £3 million worth of stolen property.

Bruce was responsible for the first Police 5 programme on HTV in 1975 and went on to edit and produce a series of crime-busting programmes.

He was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 1987 for his services to regional broadcasting and is also holder of the Sir Ambrose Fleming Award for his television services.