POLICE lined the streets of Upminster on Tuesday (January 18) to pay tribute to an “inspirational” PC who lost her battle against cancer an hour after the end of New Year’s Day.

They formed a guard of honour at St Laurence Church, Corbets Tey Road, to pay their last respects to Jenna Seaton, 24, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer weeks into her police training in January 2006.

The dedicated officer completed her induction despite the heart-wrenching news and went on to serve as a 999 officer with Essex Police for five years. .

She married her colleague, domestic violence officer DC Mark Barber in August, after the cancer spread to her lungs, liver and brain.

Her identical twin sister Kirsty was said to be devastated.

The funeral procession made its way from Jenna’s home in Harwood Avenue, Hornchurch, to St Laurence Church for the service.

Her grieving mum Jacqui, of Barking, said: “She was very strong. In the end she was in a lot of pain. She never complained, she never moaned.

“Her twin sister Kirsty couldn’t believe she actually died. She’s the other half of her. They were still very close.”

Close colleague Insp Sue Heaton said: “She was a dedicated officer, who was an inspiration to the student officers she trained and developed.

“She was an outgoing person who was totally dedicated to her job.”

Insp Heaton added: “It is a very sad day for Essex Police and all of the colleagues who worked with her.”