Kevin Hughes with partner Carole Formby

Tributes were today paid to a “fantastic” Shropshire police officer who was found hanged.

Constable Kevin Hughes, who served with Whitchurch police for 22 years, was found dead on a building site in Penley, near Ellesmere, on Sunday.

It is believed his body was discovered by a dog walker who raised the alarm at about 9am. Police and ambulance personnel attended the scene but were unable to save the 45-year-old father-of-two.

Today Carole Formby, Mr Hughes’s partner of three years who lived with him in Penley, paid tribute to her “soul mate and best friend”.

She said: “We had been together for nearly three years and he was a fantastic father to his children.”

She said Mr Hughes was divorced and had two teenage children living in the Wrexham area.

Friends and residents from the area have also paid tribute to Mr Hughes, speaking of their sadness at his death.

Peggy Mullock, Shropshire Council member for Whitchurch North, said she had known him since he began working in the town. She said: “He was a lovely man and a good and conscientious police officer. He was the sort you could go to if ever you had a problem. It’s really sad news.”

Tributes were also left on the internet. David “Mac” McGregor wrote: “What a terrible shame. Kev always seemed to be a decent solid guy.

“I knew him as a PC and also as someone who would come and have a cuppa in my shop. I hope that Kev rests in peace.”

Police forces in Shropshire and North Wales today said they had launched an investigation but were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

It was confirmed that North Wales Police received a call saying a man had been found hanged in Penley, North Wales. It was confirmed that he was a serving police officer.

John Hughes, coroner for north east Wales, said today he had been informed and an inquest would be opened in due course.

By Tom Johannsen