Pc John Treece (61) joined the police in November 1975, having spent ten years in the Royal Navy.

He began patrolling in 1976 in Hyson Green where he was involved in the riots of the 1980s.

John then started a four-year attachment with the city vice-squad – until the miners' strike in 1984 saw him moved to Annesley to oversee the picket lines at the village's pit.

Commenting on the early years of his 33-year career, he said: "The riots and the miners striking were two of the low points of my career. It was really difficult for me.

"I am the son of a miner, and at the time, my wife was crossing the picket line every day to go to her job at the National Coal Board.

"Being a Hucknall lad, most of my mates were out on strike. It was a really challenging time and even today, some of those former miners haven't forgotten. They don't speak to me."

Things improved for John when he went on to spend 13 happy years at Eastwood where he was a response officer and a community constable. For four years from 1998, he became a crime-scene visitor for the burglary unit.

John, a father-of-two, was appointed the Constable Federation's representative in 1990. He continued to provide support for police officers for several years and became the full-time chairman of the Constables' Branch Board in 2002.

He said: "Being there for fellow officers is without a doubt one of the most memorable and rewarding parts of the job. I was able to help cops through distressing times and became involved when some were being disciplined.

"In many cases, I helped keep people in their jobs when they might have been naive or a bit silly. I made sure someone was there to support the troops through thick and thin."

Married for 28 years, John also joined the police's male voice choir in 1976. He sang with them until they folded in 2006 when he switched to the renowned Bestwood Male Voice Choir.

He joked: "At work, I am called Old John but in the choir I am most definitely Young John!"

As the oldest police constable in Nottinghamshire and the second oldest police officer in the force, after Insp Rex Freer in the control room, John is now looking forward to having the summer off.

He enjoys sport, especially cricket and football, and often helps out at Papplewick and Linby Cricket Club.

"It will be nice to have some time to enjoy myself and do some of the things you don't have time to do," he said.

"I will be spending time with my 18-year-old daughter and my 20-year-old son, who is a flight sergeant in the RAF, as well as with my wife.

"What happens next, I don't know. I already do some voluntary work for the Royal British Legion so I may spend more time there.

"One thing is for certain though, I will miss the guys and girls who have made this job what it is.