A former Royal Marine who worked his way up to become Oxfordshire Police's Chief Inspector in charge of prosecutions has died after a 22-year battle with cancer.

"A walking miracle" is how Colin Bowler's wife Ann said doctors described her husband as he continued to fight the disease.

Mr Bowler, the son of a railwayman, began his working life as a railway cleaner when he was 16.

At the age of 18 he joined the armed forces, where he was awarded the coveted Green Beret as a member of 40 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

Mr Bowler joined the former Oxfordshire Constabulary in 1950. He worked in the Witney traffic department and was promoted to sergeant in 1962 and inspector in 1966.

He was stationed at Burford, Henley-on-Thames and Oxford. He also worked as an instructor at the former Police Training Centre in Eynsham.

In 1973 he was given a 22-year long service and good conduct award. He retired from his role as head of the prosecutions department in 1981.

Retired Metropolitan Police officer and friend, Geoff Moss, 68, who lives in London, was a police cadet in Oxfordshire when he first met Mr Bowler. He said: "Colin was a good senior officer because of his military training. He was always interested in all things military."

A funeral service will be held at 2.15pm at Oxford Crematorium on Tuesday.