A MEMORIAL garden honouring officers and staff from Cheshire Police who have died on duty has been unveiled with a little royal assistance.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester attended a service at the police headquarters in Winsford on Thursday along with the families of those who have died.

Police authority chairman Peter Nurse said: "We are delighted that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester was here to attend this dedication service.

"The memorial is a fitting way to honour police officers and staff who have died in service.

"The garden will provide a place where staff can take a moment's break from their busy schedules and enable them to reflect on the dedication of their former colleagues."

The family of PC Kevin Brinkman, who died in a minibus crash in Thailand in March, were also present.

PC Brinkman, who lived in Northwich, served with Cheshire Police for 10 years before he died while serving in Thailand as part of a British police unit sent to help in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.

PC Brinkman has a two-year-old daughter, Chloe, and was due to marry his long term partner and fiance Diana later this year.

The garden is also dedicated to PC Jonny Speakman, from Warrington, who was killed while saving the life of a boy when surfing in Australia in January, and PC Mark Leach, who died in a traffic collision in Knutsford.

The duchess, Birgitte Eva van Deurs, planted a rose bush in memory of the people who have died during the service, conducted by the force chaplain the Rev Rex Buckley, who also helped to lay a memorial stone.

Following the service the duchess received a tour of the headquarters including the forensic unit and call handling centre.