THE funeral of one of Oldham's first woman police constables has taken place today (Thursday , October 17).

Peggy Goodwin died on October 6 at the age of 90.

A native of Greenacres where she lived most of her life, Peggy joined the Oldham Borough Police Force in 1951 and was based at the former Townfield Police Station for most of her career.

She was one of only eight women serving as police constables on the Oldham force at that time.

Peggy followed in the footsteps of Clara Walkden, also of Oldham Borough Police, who in 1921, became the first fully sworn-in female officer in the entire Greater Manchester area.

In those days many authorities were still very reluctant to give women full police powers, and prior to a legal challenge in 1919 some even suggested that it was illegal for a woman to take the oath of constable because she was physically unable to carry out the arrest of a violent man.

Peggy proved this wrong when she made headlines in the Oldham Evening Chronicle on July 18, 1955 after giving chase to and arresting a man who had caused criminal damage after a violent drunken brawl in one of the town centre pubs.

As fully sworn-in WPCs Peggy and her former colleagues were very much pioneers for the modern role of a women police constable as we know it today.

In recent years Peggy has suffered gradually declining health after being seriously injured as a pedestrian in a road accident in Scotland in late 2013.

Peggy leaves a daughter Vicki, nieces and nephews including Susan and Philip in Australia and second cousins.

The Police will be represented at Peggy’s funeral by, GMP District Commander Superintendent Collette Rose, along with Inspector Karen Taylor and Standard Bearer PC Ian McDonald.