A thank you note...from the Dalai Lama! Retired policeman honoured with surprise letter

Supt Kevin Instance organised the Dalai Lama's visit to Glastonbury Festival this year Credit: Avon & Somerset Police

The Dalai Lama has written a thank you letter to a police Superintendent who helped organise the Dalai Lama's visit to Glastonbury Festival this summer.

Supt Kevin Instance has recently retired, but received the letter in recognition of his work during the visit on June 29 this year.

The letter from the Dalai Lama's staff says: “This was an unusual and unique event for His Holiness to attend, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience… the efforts of Superintendent Instance and his staff made it highly successful indeed. The attention to detail from Kevin is to be highly commended. At no times was the safety of His Holiness compromised and we found Superintendent Instance to be extremely efficient and effective and the consummate police professional.”