POLICE in Taunton gave their event planning officer Adrian Gridley a send off he could have organised himself when he retired after over 43 years.

He was given an escort with police outriders when he made his last trips to and from work at Taunton Police Station on Tuesday.

Mr Gridley started out as a traffic warden when he joined the former Somerset and Bath Constabulary in 1971, having previously worked in Debenhams.

He moved into his planning role in 2003, looking after hundreds of events, including the annual Somerset carnival circuits and Royal visits.

He was on duty at Bridgwater Carnival in November 2011 when the West Quay wall collapsed and seven people were killed in a horrific pile-up on the M5 crash at Taunton – he was partly responsible for helping 100,000 people find their way home.

A farewell functions was held for him and his wife, Joan, at the police station.

Supt Daimon Tilley said: “With his experience and pragmatism, Adrian has impeccably planned hundreds of events in Somerset.

“He has forged great relationships with partners in carnival, local authorities and other emergency services and was recently awarded the honour of the Order of St John for his work.

“We all wish him and his wife Joan well for the future.”

Adrian Gridley and his wife Joan with Insp Daimon Tilley at his farewell function.