A FAMILIAR face will soon be gone from Upton's police station in School Lane.

Brian Whitehouse is retiring as the front desk clerk early next month, after five years in the post.

Before that, Mr Whitehouse spent 30 years with West Midlands Police, a career which included working as a dog handler and a CID officer.

He said: "I started out as a bobby on the beat and in those days it was really on the beat."

Mr Whitehouse, who retired with the rank of detective constable, said he had very much enjoyed his police career.

"It's not so much the job but the people you meet that make it so enjoyable," he said.

Now he is looking forward to a quiet retirement at home in Powick with his wife Hilda.

PC Allan Naulls, who is based at the station, said: "Brian's experience has been invaluable. He will be missed by us here at the station and by the community as a whole."