SKIPTON police sergeant Ian Spence has died at the age of 52.

Ian - known to his colleagues as Harry - had fought a nine-month battle against cancer and died in Manorlands Hospice.

He had been a keen sportsman, tackling daily ten mile runs and regularly competing in gruelling Tough Guy challenges.

"He was an amazing man in every way," said his wife Naomi.

The couple, who had been together for five years, married in November, just months after he was diagnosed with cancer.

"He was a true gentleman," she added.

Born in Featherstone, Ian spent several years in the Territorial Army, rising to the rank of corporal, before joining North Yorkshire Police in June 1991.

He spent most of his police career in the Skipton and Settle areas, with a short stint in Richmond.

Insp Geoff Crocker, of Skipton Police, said: "Harry was a well-respected and highly thought of sergeant and his team will feel his loss greatly.

"Harry was for many years part of the police support units which saw him travelling the county and country to deal with large scale public order incidents. He was also a force self-defence trainer.

"Harry was very proud to be a police officer and I, along with all his colleagues, am very proud to have served alongside him.

"In November 2014, Harry married Naomi and our thoughts are with her and his sons, Chris and Scott, at this extremely difficult time. Our thoughts are also with Harry’s parents, Maureen and Clifford."

Police colleagues will act as outriders as the funeral cortege makes its way through the town tomorrow. It will stop outside Skipton Police Station en route to the town's Waltonwrays Crematorium where a service will be held at 1pm.

Ian is survived by his wife Naomi, his twin sons, Christopher and Scott, from his first marriage, stepson Daniel, parents Maureen and Clifford, and brother Kevin.