TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Cheshire police officer who has died after a brave battle with cancer.

Jill Cope, aged 54, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer last year - a condition which affects the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.

She passed away at St Lukes Hospice in Winsford on Monday, August 7.

Mother-of-two Jill had been working as a beat officer in Holmes Chapel before falling ill, a job she described as “the best she ever had”.

She worked tirelessly over the years with pupils from local primary and secondary schools to help make the community a happy and safe place to live.

One of Jill’s proudest achievements was joining forces with students from Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School to help raise more than £25,000 for a new skate park to be built in the grounds of the village community centre.

Inspector Penny Jones, from Crewe Local Policing Unit, said: “I was Jill’s line manager, colleague and friend for a number of years and she was a huge asset to Cheshire Constabulary. 

“She touched many people’s lives through her role as a Police Constable Support Officer and also through her many charity fund raising events. Jill will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

Inspector Mark Gammage added: “Jill’s enthusiasm for life was infectious and it was a privilege to call her my friend. 

“Her charity work, both on and off duty, made a huge difference to many people’s lives and when Jill asked you to do something, you did it! 

“She will be sorely missed by the many people whose lives she touched and my thoughts are with her family, her children Matt and Lincy of whom she was so proud, and her partner Mark at this sad time.”