FALKLANDS war veteran Chief Supt Andy Holt has taken over as the new divisional commander of Bury Police.

The father-of-three was a lieutenant and second-in command of 45 Commando, the Royal Marines, which helped liberate the Falkland Islands from the Argentine invaders in 1982.

He spent a further four years with the elite corps before swapping his career to join Greater Manchester Police.

Twenty years on, as the boss of Bury Police, the 43-year-old will now lead the town's fight against crime.

Born in Yorkshire, Chief Supt Holt joined the Marines 12 months before the Falklands conflict. During the war he saw action at Two Sisters and Port San Carlos. He joined Greater Manchester Police in 1986.

His predecessor, Chief Supt Phil Hollowood, is now divisional commander in south Manchester.

He said: "I am very excited about coming to Bury and I see it as an opportunity to continue the excellent work of my predecessor, Phil Hollowood, to make the borough a pleasant and safe place."

to live and work."