FIFTEEN years ago, Hywel Griffiths was told he had Parkinson's Disease.

As a police officer in Gwent Police's dog unit, it was instantly clear that his active and physically demanding job had a rapidly diminishing shelf life.

Faced with the prospect of being retired out of the police force within three years, PC Griffiths instead decided to transfer his skills to the force's intelligence unit.

Fifteen years on, he has won two commendations for work on specific operations, as well as a long-service award, and he is an active supporter of disability rights and access within Gwent Police.

PC Griffiths, 42, lives in Machen, with his wife Karen, daughter Catrin, 13, and son Aled, 10.

His condition means he often suffers from frozen shoulder and shaking limbs.

But thanks to the support of bosses and the work of Gwent Police's Disability Support Network - which he is a founder member of - PC Griffiths can confidently say that disability should not be a barrier to a successful career in the police force.

His message to others with a disability of any kind, who either work in the force or are considering a career with the police is, "Don't be afraid".

He believes the Disability Support Network is an excellent resource and means of sharing information and experience.

The network works with officers and police staff with disabilities of all kinds, from MS and visual impairments to things like dyslexia and depression.

The group, founded ten years ago and chaired by Jeremy Hooper, who works in the Gwent Police trials unit, offers mutual support, advice about outside help agencies, as well as an informal feedback service to senior force officials.

And PC Griffiths is well aware that by transferring him to work as an intelligence officer, Gwent Police has reaped the rewards.

"I know the force has been good to me, but I've done a lot for them as well," he said.