Tributes paid to Durham's PC Gavin Smith after losing cancer battle

Tributes are being paid to an officer in Durham Constabulary who has died following his cancer battle.

Gavin Smith, who was originally from Whitley Bay, had been with the force for 12 years and was part of the team which featured on television show Police Interceptors.

The 34-year-old recently had cancer treatment and was allowed to return home to Bishop Auckland where he received an escort from his colleagues.

He passed away at home peacefully, surrounded by his family and leaves his wife Kezi and daughter Tilly, four.

Colleagues had been fundraising to send Gavin and his family away for a weekend but proceeds will now be passed onto the family for them to use.