FAMILY, friends and colleagues of a murdered young policeman attended an emotional memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of his death.

The ceremony at Bolton Police Station yesterday was in honour of PC John Egerton and a conference suite at the new Burnden headquarters was named in his honour.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled during the service by PC Egerton's mother, Joan, who took her son's police helmet to the ceremony.

PC Egerton was attacked in a factory yard in Farnworth on March 11, 1982, as he tried to arrest a man he caught stealing petrol.

The 20-year-old, from Farnworth, was stabbed at least four times, once through the heart. He had been called to the Dynamics Plastic works to help PC David O'Brien, who saw a man climbing over the factory gate.

Minutes later, PC O'Brien found the body of his colleague and close friend.

PC Egerton's killer, Arthur Edge, was jailed for life and released in 2000 after 18 years.

Mrs Egerton, aged 72, said: "It's very emotional but I am very proud.

"John was fun and he liked to laugh. He always had his head in a book."

Mrs Egerton, of Farnworth, said the family had been worried about the dangers of his job. She said: "He always wanted to join the police, and he joined up at 18. I was very proud of him when we watched his passing out parade."

She said the memory of his death is still vivid.

"I remember it as though it was yesterday. I still get people coming up to me who remember him. There's always somebody who has something nice to say about him."

Chief Superintendent Dave Lea, Bolton's police chief, said: "The tragic death of PC Egerton remains a vivid reminder of the dangers officers face.

"We felt it was important to mark the date with a permanent tribute."