TRIBUTES have been paid to a Poole man, awarded the British Empire Medal for 38 years’ exemplary service with the police, who died aged 80.

Norman Parfitt joined the Metropolitan Police in 1950 serving in Bethnal Green, before joining the river police four years later, working from Blackwall then Wapping.

He finished his career on the Commanding Officer’s launch and entertained many dignitaries and celebrities on their visits to London.

His stories of life on the river were renowned and led to an interview on BBC radio. His image appeared on a 1979 postage stamp.

Norman was born in South London, one of four boys in a family of nine children.

At an early age the family relocated to Downham near Bromley, Kent, where, after his school was destroyed by a German air raid, he became an apprentice carpenter. The family moved to Folkestone in 1945.

In 1946 Norman joined the Royal Marines but a fractured ankle while training at Lympstone on his final route march deprived him of the coveted Green Beret.

In 1948 he returned to Folkestone to continue his carpentry career but made the move to the police two years later.

He retired from the service in June 1988 and moved to Upton near Poole to be near his family.

Norman died peacefully at home at the end of January.

He is survived by his wife Daisy, son David, and three grandsons.

David said: “Dad was one of few people who really loved his job and the people with whom he worked. A larger than life character with an endless fund of amusing anecdotes who will be dearly missed by family and friends.”