A TEAM of police officers proved just champion when they took on a team of paramedics on the five-a-side pitch in memory of a Bolton bobby killed in the line of duty.

The Astley Bridge All Stars came out on top in the tournament held in honour of PC John Egerton, who was murdered in 1982 in a factory yard in Farnworth while trying to arrest a suspect.

Nine teams entered the competition, held annually for more than 20 years now, with the Bolton North team beating the North West Ambulance Service 4-1 in the final.

They had finished at the top of a mini league and went on to beat the Counter Terrorism Unit 4-0 in the semi-final.

PC Graeme Sharp, who organised the event, said: "It is important that we continue to remember John Egerton and this tournament helps to keep his memory alive.

"This year's tournament was very successful and the aim is to get even more teams involved next year.

"I would also like to thank the staff at Powerleague, Leverhulme Park who play a big part in making this tournament run smoothly every year."

PC Egerton died, aged 20. after being stabbed four times, once through the heart, at Dynamo Plastics, where he was responding to a report that someone was stealing petrol.

His killer Arthur Edge was jailed for life and released in 2000 after serving 18 years in prison.

PC Danny Pugh, the winning captain and tournament's top-scorer with 14 goals, said: "It is a privilege to keep his memory going and it is nice for his mum to see that he is not forgotten.

"It just reminds everyone as well that you cannot take things for granted.

"You turn up for work every day and stuff can go wrong.

"What happened to John, and to Fiona and Nicola, show the risks and it is important that we remember them."

PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone died in September, 2012 in Mottram, Tameside, while responding to reports of a break-in.

Fugitive Dale Cregan launched a gun and grenade attack on the pair as they walked up a driveway.

Cregan will spend the rest of his life in prison after admitting their murders, as well as those of two other men.