TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired policeman and popular member of Stourport Choral and Operatic Society who died suddenly after visiting family.

Tenor John Hancocks died following a heart attack on a train as he was returning from visiting family in Colchester.

He had undergone a triple heart bypass in 1998. John Hancocks

The 73-year-old was posted to Kidderminster when he joined the police in the 1950s. He also worked in Bewdley and became one of the first crime prevention officers - responsible for Stourbridge, Halesowen, Bromsgrove and Redditch - before returning to Kidderminster in 1974.

He retired two years later and worked as a security officer at carpet firm Brintons until he again retired to concentrate on his work with the choral and operatic society in 1991.

Keen beekeeper Mr Hancocks leaves a wife, Pat, four children and five grandchildren.

The couple, of Ludgate Avenue, Kidderminster, celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary last month.

His son Matthew, who lives in Yorkshire, is planning to take on the bees and to continue his father's hobby.

Mrs Hancocks said: "John was a well known character and never short of a friend.

"After his operation three-and-a-half years ago he believed every day was a bonus and we enjoyed what we wanted to do."

Mr Hancocks was a "nice person to get on with", according to choral and operatic society chairman George Smart. "He will be sadly missed, not just for his singing," Mr Smart said.

"John was our representative on the Wyre Forest Arts Forum for quite a long time. He was jovial company."

The funeral, which will feature singing by the Stourport choir, takes place tomorrow at Kidderminster's St Mary's Church, followed by a private cremation in Stourbridge.

Mrs Hancocks asked donations be made to County Air Ambulance instead of flowers.