A "FIRST class" former police officer has died aged 87.

Peter Jackson, known as 'Jacko', served with Oxford City Police and later Thames Valley Police, rising to the rank of inspector.

The grandfather-of-five, of Wootton near Abingdon, was based in St Aldate's Police Station during his 15-year career on the force, which spanned the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

After retiring he became a pub landlord, first of the Plasterers Arms in Marston Road, Oxford, and then the Admiral Benbow at Milton, near Abingdon.

Tributes have been paid to the former policeman by colleagues, including Tony Wappner, 69, who said he was "someone you could look up to".

Mr Wappner added: "He was a first class copper, there's no doubt about that.

"He was respected by all the villains in Oxford and he always knew where to go for information on them too."

The Kennington resident first met Mr Jackson in 1967 after completing his training. Mr Jackson by then was an inspector.

Mr Wappner added: "Pete was also someone you could look up to in the force and he cared about his men.

"Back then, Oxford City Police was like one big family and you soon realised that when you joined."

And Robbie Cox, secretary of Oxford City Police Association, said: "Pete was very highly regarded detective and exceptionally good at his job.

"He was also a good and generous man and believed in dressing well.

"Whenever you'd see him, he always looked smart."

Peter Morris Jackson was born on December 12, 1928, to parents Bert and Dorris Jackson.

He was one of 11 siblings – eight boys and three girls – and the family lived at first in Spencer Crescent, Rose Hill, at first and then later Grays Road, Headington.

His younger brother Paul, now 69, said: "Pete was a stand-out kind of person. There was about a 20-year age gap between he and I and he was a mentor to all of us."

After leaving school, a young Mr Jackson joined the Army aged 17 and served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Brigade from July 1946 to August 1952.

He joined Oxford City Police in August 1956, staying with the force during its reorganisation into the Thames Valley Constabulary in 1968.

Mr Jackson retired from the police in September 1971, later taking up the Plasterers Arms, in Marston Road, where policemen and former criminals alike would come to quench their thirst.

He managed the pub for about 10 years before moving to take up the Admiral Benbow, in Milton, which he also held for about 10 years.

The former policeman was married to wife Barbara and the couple had four children: Pauline, Linda, Kay and Graham.

He enjoyed gardening and kept an allotment in Marston and liked to grow flowers, particularly daffodils, dahlias and chrysanthemums.

Peter Jackson died on July 23, in Sobell House Hospice, Oxford, after a long period of illness.

He is survived by his wife, children and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 11am on August 19, at Oxford Crematorium.