Real-life Oor Wullie Pc revealed

Sandy Marnoch is the large man on the right of the front row

A photograph showing the policeman on whom Oor Wullie character Pc Murdoch was based has been unveiled in Fife.

Sandy Marnoch worked as a reserve constable in Kincardine along with cartoonist Dudley D Watkins, who also features in the police line-up.

It was Marnoch's 'no nonsense' approach which provided the inspiration for the famous cartoon strip policeman.

The picture was held at the Scottish Police College but now hangs in the new police station in Kincardine.

Dudley D Watkins was responsible for creating The Broons and Oor Wullie. He served as a reserve constable during the war.

Both Dudley D Watkins and Pc Sandy Marnoch provided exemplary service to the community of Kincardine Chief Constable Peter Wilson

According to locals, his colleague became so recognisable as the cartoon policeman that for many years he was often greeted with: "I saw you in the Sunday Post again this week."

The area provided the inspiration for many parts of Watkins' cartoons. Glebe Street in the Broons was based on Glebe Road in Kincardine.

The photograph was handed over to the chief constable of Fife Constabulary, Peter Wilson, to mark the opening of a new police facility.

He said: "Both Dudley D Watkins and Pc Sandy Marnoch provided exemplary service to the community of Kincardine.

"We hope that our new police station, which is in a more accessible location in the town, will continue this long tradition of community policing.

"I'm sure Pc Marnoch and Dudley D Watkins would have approved."

The new station has been relocated from the Fere Gait on the outskirts of the town to former Fife Council offices in the High Street.