The funeral service for former Falmouth community police officer, Peter Telling, who has lost his fight with cancer, will be held at Penmount Crematorium in Truro on Thursday, June 29.

Peter was born in Bugle in 1940 and joined the police cadets in 1957 and then the Cornwall Constabulary. He moved to Mawnan Smith with his wife Wendy in 1964 to become community policeman and the couple were the first occupants of the police bungalow in Carlidnack Road.

He quickly became very well known, riding his pushbike and then motorcycle around the village and even in later life was still often recognised when visiting the area. In 1969 he moved to Falmouth where he became resident PC for Boslowick, Swanvale, the seafront and parts of Trescobeas.

"Again his relaxed friendly manner made him popular with the residents and he rarely had to walk up Boslowick Road or Penmere Hill as someone would usually stop to give him a lift," said his son, Dave. "He became very active in the community, assisting councillor Judy O'Brien at Swanvale Youth Club - the boys' football teams he coached won many trophies around the county."

Peter and Wendy had two sons, Paul, who died in 2010, and Dave, who followed his father into the police force in 1986, retiring in 2016. The pair both worked out of Penryn police station for a few months in 1988.

Peter retired from the police in 1989. His first battle with cancer began in 2012 following a x-ray after a car crash. "The cancer was advanced and he was given little chance of survival but following treatment by Dr Toby Talbot, with whom he became good friends, at the Sunrise Centre at Treliske he recovered and was clear for almost five years," added Dave.

Following this Peter gave radio and magazine interviews to help with the Sunrise Centre's fundraising appeals.

Sadly in March this year the cancer returned and he died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 17 at the age of 76.

His funeral will be at Penmount at 2pm on Thursday and any donations given will go to the Sunrise Centre.