Police officers took part in a memorial hockey match yesterday in memory of a colleague who died of cancer last year.

They competed against Bingley Bees Hockey Club at Bradford Grammar School to remember Bingley PC Clare Lyness.

The former PE teacher, who died aged 47, had played hockey for the Bingley Bees and West Yorkshire Police. She was also a keen golfer.

Her time with the force included a long spell as a patrol officer in Keighley before moving to Bingley Neighbourhood Polic-ing Team, where she was praised as “worth her weight in gold” by colleagues and superiors.

Friends from the Bingley St Ives Golf Club have held a golf match in her honour, from which proceeds were donated to charity. Sergeant Di Collins, PC Lyness’s supervisor at the Bingley NPT, said: “As Clare’s colleagues we really appreciate the efforts of groups such as the Bingley Bees and Bingley St Ives Golf clubs to help us remember Clare – we would all be very pleased if the cup becomes an annual event.

“I know Clare’s family are also delighted that their daughter will be remembered in this way.”

Sharon Stamp, of the Bingley Bees, said: “Clare was an integral part of our club and very much part of the Bees family.

“Even when Clare opted to play golf and move on from hockey she still came to support our social events and stepped in to play matches when asked.

“It was a tragedy when she lost her battle with cancer and players wanted to do something which honoured Clare’s name and her contribution to hockey and the club.

“It was great to see so many people of all ages turning out for the match. Clare had a zest for life, she was a real community police woman and we thought this was an appropriate way to remember her.”

PC Cath Gallimore, of the Bingley NPT, who also plays for the Bingley Bees, said: “Clare was a very popular member of our team and across the old Keighley Division, where she spent most of her service.

“We all miss her a lot and thought an annual trophy match to celebrate her love of sport would be something she would really approve.

“She was a PE teacher before she joined the police so sport was a big part of her life. She was very approachable, someone you got to know straight away.”

A collection was taken at the end of the match for Sue Ryder Care’s Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, which provided support at home for PC Lyness.