Receiving a major honour is just a stroll in the park for the remarkable Jim Marshall.

Mr Marshall will visit Buckingham Palace to pick up his MBE medal for services to the community of Hove on Wednesday.

The former policeman was head of Brighton CID and then Sussex CID for 17 years until 1976.

Mr Marshall, of Hove, was also a Tory member of Hove Borough Council and East Sussex County Council.

He was involved in more than 100 murder investigations, earning the title Supercop from his colleagues and winning the Queen's Police Medal in 1972.

During his long local government service, which ended in 1997, Mr Marshall became known as a champion of the underdog.

He fought for the rights of genuine football fans against hooligans, campaigned to keep speed limits at 30mph on Old Shoreham Road in Hove and led and won efforts to clean up graffiti.

He also worked with the Royal British Legion to improve the lot of ex-servicemen.

Mr Marshall said he was thrilled with his latest honour."I'm very, very pleased to be receiving the MBE next week.

"Whatever I've done would not have been possible without the unstinting support of my wife and family and the local community.

"It's been a privilege to serve the community and the wonderful people I've met."

Mr Marshall was Britain's longest-serving senior detective, starting his career in his native Barnsley in 1946.

He also sat on Sussex County Cricket Club's committee and, at one point, seven school boards. He is still chairman of one and vice-chairman of another.

Mr Marshall, who was dubbed Honest Jim during his council service, said: "I like to keep busy and I hope I've done as much as I can for the underprivileged during my time as a councillor and with the other work."

Two of his daughters and a grandson will accompany him to Buckingham Palace.

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