Tributes have been paid to an "old-school" police officer who served in Sinfin, Alvaston and Allestree for three decades.

John Keetley was well-loved by his colleagues at Derbyshire police as a traditional and straight-talking PC.

He was also friends with sporting hero Brian Clough when they lived on the same street in Allestree and often helped him to fend off the press.

The 81-year-old, who later went on to work as a property officer for the force, died of long-term health complications on May 13.

His daughter Sharon Insull said if it was not for lockdown restrictions there would be around 200 people attending his funeral.

She said: "We would fill the crematorium four times over if we could.

Mr Keetley was known to colleagues as 'JK' - here he is pictured in 1958.

"We are looking to do something after when it’s safe to do it but I’m concerned about finding a hall big enough."

Mr Keetley served in a range of roles for the force including as a plain-clothes officer and working for the CID, as well as local policing.

When he served in Sinfin, Alvaston and Allestree his daughter said he built up a strong reputation and was known by colleagues as "JK".

She said: "He was really well-liked as a typical, old-school policeman and he was well-respected by the public and colleagues.

"We would even have people turn up at the door to have him tell off their children.

"He was very straight-talking, likeable, always cheerful, and people knew where they stood with him."

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Mr Keetley was married to his wife Jenny for more than 50 years before she died around eight years ago.

They had planned to make the most of their retirement but sadly Mrs Keetley developed Alzheimer's.

His daughter said: "He visited her in the nursing home every day.

"He was a true family man. They had massive plans to travel but the Alzheimer's put paid to that."

Mr Keetley was involved with the Police Federation and organised social meet-ups, trips and parties. He also had his own section at the Derby Police Museum in Agard Street.

Ms Insull said: "He had lots of memorabilia and he was a big storyteller.

"He was one of those people who always remembered the old stories. When they had open days at the museum he would go down and chat with people and he absolutely loved it."

Ms Insull said she had fond memories of her father's time in Allestree when Mr Keetley became good friends with Brian Clough.

She said: "We used to live next door but one and he would help out with bits and bobs.

"They were partners in crime, really. When Brian retired Dad helped the family to fend off journalists and photographers."

A private funeral for Mr Keetley will take place at Markeaton Crematorium on June 3 and a wake, to allow more people to pay their respects, is being planned for a future date.