Former Tavistock police officer Simon Dell has been paying tribute to the Queen who he met several times during his time in the police.

He told the Times: ‘The Queen set a standard so many in life have failed to meet. I was privileged to serve her for 41 years and most of that time as a community constable in Tavistock and I was honoured when she appointed me an MBE.

I was delighted to meet her on a number of occasions through my service with the police and found her to be a delightful person and I even managed to make her laugh in 1997.

We knew that this day would come and it is of course a shock but also we must look forward to the future and a new King. TheQueen has left a remarkable legacy as the longest serving monarch in British history.