Police officers are rallying round to support an "exceptional" young bobby who has been told he has two brain tumours.

Doctors told PC Dave Robinson late last year the cancer, diagnosed when he was 17, had returned, after several apparently successful attempts to treat it.

PC Robinson – described by colleagues as a "dedicated" officer and "exactly the sort of person Leicestershire police wants" – is currently unable to work.

Now, some of the 28-year-old's colleagues have decided to support him by completing a gruelling 200-mile cycle ride on Saturday, April 24.

The officers, calling themselves Team Robinson, hope to complete the sponsored ride from force HQ, in Enderby, to Exeter, Devon, in 24 hours.

Money raised will be given to PC Robinson's family, who will decide how it is spent.

Sergeant Nick White, deputy commander of city centre police and the officer who has supervised PC Robinson throughout his career, said: "This is the third time David has been told he has brain tumours. The first time was when he was 17.

"He has had treatment and been in remission, but then he was told in October he now has two tumours on his brain.

"He's an active lad who loves his football. It's brought home to all of us how indiscriminate cancer is.

"He's an exceptional officer, exactly the sort of person Leicestershire police wants."

PC Robinson joined Leicestershire police three years ago as a community support officer in the city centre. After two years, he became a constable.

Sgt White said: "We decided we wanted to do something to help Dave and I came up with the idea of the bike ride.

"It's about 200 miles but we're aiming to do it in 24 hours. It will be gruelling because I've never done anything like this before.."

Sgt White will be joined by up top 10 colleagues. Some plan to ride every mile, while others will drop in and out.

Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon, head of city police, said: "Dave's photograph was used in one of our billboard recruitment posters because of his larger-than-life character and his smile.

"He is one of those genuine, tenacious and community-minded police officers who are the pride of the force.

"He joined as a community support officer and received awards for his dedication.

"He took his commitment a step further by becoming a constable and again demonstrated he was a first rate police officer.

"It is a tragedy for someone with such a bright future to be diagnosed with this illness at only 28 years of age."

PC Robinson, his partner and relatives are being supported by the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, a charity which also carries out research into treatment for the disease.

Roz Osborne, the charity's head of support services, said: "It is a rare cancer. About 6,500 cases are diagnosed every year."

To sponsor the riders, e-mail:

nicholas.white@ leicestershire.pnn.police.uk