Neil Petford served with the force from July 2002 to July 2004 when he was based in Chapel-en-le-Frith. During that time, he also served as beat officer for Furness Vale.

Neil, 37, was killed when his 1000cc Kawasaki bike was in collision with a tractor pulling a hay trailer on Kirton Road, Blyton, near Gainsborough last Wednesday evening.

He was due to marry his fiancee Jo Robins next Saturday and Jo has now decided to hold a church service in memory of Neil in place of what should have been their wedding service. The couple had been together for four years. Neil, of Northorpe, Gainsborough, had a ten year-old daughter and was also step dad to Jo's son and daughter aged nine and 13.

Jo said: "Neil was my light and my life. My hero. He was a fantastic man, brilliant dad to his daughter and wonderful step dad to my children.

"Part of me feels cheated that I could not have had longer with Neil but I feel so grateful for the time we had and honoured that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

"He was a larger than life character who was incredibly loyal and devoted. His personality was infectious and so was his smile.

"He made us laugh until our sides and our faces hurt.

"He just had a way about him that could make people feel incredibly special. I will miss him so much."

Neil, a welder at Gainsborough, was a keen biker and had a distinguished history in motorbike racing.

In 1995 he was the New Era GP250 Club Racing Champion and looked set for further success but was unfortunately knocked off his bike and injured in the first round of the CB500 Cup in 1996, where he raced against the eventual winner James Toseland, now a star in the elite MotoGP series.