People once got up a petition to return this PC to the beat but no amount of campaigning will stop him leaving now.

PC John Munday is retiring after 28 years foot-slogging round Brighton and Hove.

He is considered the city's best-known bobby and in recent years has worked in the tutor unit, training young officers.

He admitted: "They all look too young to me to be coppers."

Married to Elizabeth for 34 years and living in Brighton, PC Munday has spent his entire career in the city.

He became such a familiar sight in the North Laine that 350 shopkeepers and residents signed a petition when he was withdrawn from the beat because of manpower shortages.

They won him back and campaigners celebrated. Peter Stocker, then chairman of the local community association, said: "There was such a relief when he came back.

"John did a fantastic job. Everyone felt they could approach him."

PC Munday got to know everyone in the community, even local villains.

He made hundreds of arrests in his career and was injured twice, once when he was knocked over by another officer as they chased a shoplifter and once when he stepped on a nail as he ran after a burglar.

PC Munday also got a glimpse of life for American officers in Dallas when he took detective Dennis Williams around the city.

He discovered his counterpart deals with an average of three murders every eight-hour shift.

Before policing, Mr Munday spent 12 years in the Royal Navy as a leading radio operator and was posted for two years in Bermuda.

He was aboard a frigate during the so-called "Cod War" with Iceland in 1973 before joining Sussex Police.

Travelling will be a major part of his retirement plans as he pursues his favourite hobby, history.

Despite looking forward to a well-earned rest, PC Munday said: "The job has been challenging and entertaining and I shall miss the people very much.