A FAMILIAR face to a generation of school children has died from cancer at the age of 72.

Retired PC Dave Perks spent the last years of his service with the Met Police as primary schools liaison officer for the borough, visiting schools talking about stranger danger, road safety, security marking children’s bikes and making sure schools had lollipop men and women.

Mr Perks joined the police in 1960 in Kennington, but was soon posted to Bexley where he spent the vast majority of his service pounding the beat in Erith.

In 1995 he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Mr Perks was also known for his charity work, founding the Police Office Welling Aid for the Handicapped and was a member of the Friends of Carlton Day Centre.

He sang with the Met. Police Choir, was a member of Bexley Junior Football League. a governor at Slade Green Junior School and a member of Christ Church, Bexleyheath.

His first wife Ann died in 1992 but he remarried to Pat, a fellow founder member of the Ferrier Operatic Society, in 1997.

Despite his illness and the amputation of his leg two years ago, Mr Perks was still leading an active life until shortly before his death.

He died in Guys Hospital at the weekend.

Mr Perks is survived by his wife and his son Christopher.

His funeral will be held at noon on June 7 at Christ Church, Bexleyheath, with family flowers only and donations to the Douglas Centre Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup, c/o Bexley Funeral Services 165 Blendon Road, Bexley DA1 1BT