Friends, family and colleagues yesterday paid tribute to PC Jeff Tooley by laying wreaths at the spot where he was killed ten years ago.

A lone piper played as people paid their respects to the 26-year-old traffic officer who was killed on the A259 in Shoreham by a hit-and-run driver as he carried out spot checks.

John Heaton, who was driving the van that hit the policeman, handed himself in a few days later and was eventually found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

PC Tooley’s memorial stone was unveiled in 2000 by then Prime Minister Tony Blair. Supt Steve Barry, head of Sussex Police’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Jeff’s memorial event was a very poignant experience.

“As head of road policing I felt the service provided a moving testimony to the work of all traffic officers both past and present.

“The day was about remembering Jeff and there was a fantastic turnout from family, friends and colleagues, all of whom were able to share their memories of Jeff. We will never forget Jeff Tooley and the cost to him and his family.”