Britain's oldest policeman retires after 26 years of service

Britain's oldest policeman has finally hung up his truncheon aged 66 after over a quarter-of-a-decade of service.

Cornell Barnes - known as "Barney" - joined the force as a Pc in 1990 aged 41 and has been keeping the Hillfields area of Coventry, West Midlands, safe ever since.

The popular granddad-of-two arrested roughly 1,300 criminals throughout his career - averaging around 50 a year.

During his time with the force, Pc Barnes has also covered 50,000 miles on foot patrol.

Pc Barnes even received an MBE for his dedication to neighbourhood policing in 2008 and earned himself the unofficial title of the "Sheriff of Hillfields" among local residents.

Last year, he received the prestigious Good Citizens award from Birmingham City Council.

Following his retirement on Tuesday, Pc Barnes said: "There is nothing nicer than seeing an appreciative smile".

Jamaican-born Pc Barnes moved to England when he was aged 10 and joined the British Army at the age of just 15 in 1965.

He then spent 25 years serving around the world as an infantry soldier with the Yorkshire Regiment, including eight tours of Northern Ireland, before joining West Midlands Police in 1990.

The dad-of-four said he decided to become a beat officer to make a difference by reforming troubled teens and improving the relationship between youngsters and the police.