Tributes have been paid to a press officer and former school governor who died following a short illness.

Nishan Wijeratne, 38, worked for Essex Police before moving to Suffolk Constabulary, and was a governor at Howbridge Junior School in Witham until last year.

He died on November 11 at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, due to complications following a kidney transplant last year.

Friends and family have raised more than £2,800 for Kidney Research UK in his memory.

Mr Wijeratne joined Essex Police in 2000 and joined the Suffolk force in August this year.

During his time at Essex he managed the media response for many high profile cases including the murder of Jack Large in Chigwell in 2007, the murder of Sandra Gant in Clacton 2003, the murder of Jay Whiston in Colchester in 2012 and Operation Dartford, child sexual exploitation in Southend in 2014.

He continued to be involved in Operation Dartford despite moving to Suffolk Police and such was his dedication he was even updating the media from his hospital bed when the jury went out for their deliberations.

Mr Wijeratne's funeral will take place on Wednesday at 1.30pm, at St Nicolas Church, Witham.

His family have requested no flowers, but donations can be made to Kidney Research UK at justgiving.com/NWijeratne.