TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bury police officer who died of coronavirus aged 49.

PC Jon Wain joined Greater Manchester Police in December 2003 and was based at Bury as part of the response team.

He died on Monday after a battle with Covid-19 - leaving behind a partner and two sons.

A GMP spokesperson said: "We are devastated at the loss of our popular colleague PC Jon Wain, who died on Monday after a battle with Covid-19.

His colleague, Brett Grange, knew and worked with Jon and said he was a popular officer who will be truly missed by all of his colleagues.

He said: "Jon was a quiet, friendly and hard-working officer who would always find a way to add either an incisive point missed at a key time or a hilarious quip amongst friends with his trademark smile.

"Although I and all his old team - and the teams Jon has worked on since - will not feel as much pain as his partner and sons, we feel enough to make this a really bad day for all those who had the honour to work with Jon.

"The communities of Bury - who he served diligently for 17 years – were very lucky to have Jon keeping them safe."

"I last saw Jon late last year walking his dog, we had a brief socially distant chat on the street and I left him with the words 'look after yourself Jon' - as we both knew as an operational officer he faced enhanced risk.

"He faced that risk gallantly and we have all lost a true gentleman to this horrible virus.

"Our thoughts are with Jon’s family, friends and close colleagues at this very sad time, and we will be supporting them as best we can."