Private funeral for police chief

The funeral of Greater Manchester Police chief constable Michael Todd is to be held at a church close to his family home in Nottinghamshire.

Mr Todd, a married father-of-three, was found dead on Snowdon, North Wales, on 11 March.

A private funeral for relatives and close friends will be held in Halam on Friday. A memorial service will be held at Manchester Cathedral on 11 April.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into Mr Todd's death.

The 50-year-old, who had been married for more than 27 years, lived in a flat in Manchester during the week and returned to his wife Carolyn, twin boys aged 13 and 16-year-old daughter in Nottinghamshire at weekends.

Following his death Mrs Todd paid tribute to a "loving father and husband", saying she and her children were struggling to come to terms with his death.

In a statement, she said: "I loved Michael very much and the last time I spoke to him he told me he loved me too."

The circumstances surrounding his death are to be investigated by Sir Paul Scott-Lee, chief constable of West Midlands Police, who will be looking at whether Mr Todd's personal life had adversely impacted on his duties.

The BBC has learned that Mr Todd had suffered from bouts of depression and had previously threatened suicide.

Books of condolence have been opened at Manchester Cathedral and online at the Greater Manchester Police website.

Date article online: 18/03/2008