Cambridgeshire Police have paid tribute to former officer and two-time World's Strongest Man, Geoff Capes, after his death at the age of 75 was announced yesterday (October 23).

Geoff Capes, who was born in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, competed in both Commonwealth and Olympic Games in shotput. He won two gold medals in the 1974 and 1978 Commonwealth Games for shotput.

His fame grew when he entered the World's Strongest Man competition, which he won twice in 1983 and 1985.

Outside of his sporting career and celebrity status, Geoff Capes served as a police officer with Cambridgeshire Constabulary for 11 years.

He joined the force as a 19-year-old in 1969, and stuck with them while he competed in the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games.

Cambridgeshire Police Chief Constable Nick Dean paid tribute to the former officer: "Geoff Capes served as a police officer here in the 1970s.  

"His stature and fitness as well as his warm personal style, led him naturally to become the force’s PT Instructor and many of the young police cadets of the 1970s remember him well with huge fondness.

"Only last week at our 50th anniversary celebrations, retired officers were talking about his time here in Cambridgeshire. Our condolences go to his family and friends."

When Geoff Capes served with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the police saw their longest-ever list of people applying to be recruits at the force.