A head teacher has spoken of the bravery of the eldest son of murdered PC Sharon Beshenivsky.

PC Beshenivsky, who lived in Back Shaw Lane, Hainworth, was gunned down in Bradford city centre last Friday after attending an armed robbery.

Son Sam, 12, bravely attended Parkside School, in Cullingworth, on Monday morning, after being brought in by his stepfather, Paul.

Pupils at the school were informed of the devastating news at a special assembly.

Head teacher Dr Tony Rickwood said: "Sam made the decision to come into school on Monday to try to bring an element of normality into his life at this chaotic time.

"We as a school welcomed him back and our dedicated counselling and mentoring system will be available to him in the difficult weeks and months ahead."

Paul and Sharon Beshenivsky moved to a converted barn in Back Shaw Lane during the summer with their five children -- four-year-old Lydia, Paul, aged seven, Sharon's son Sam from a previous marriage and her two stepchildren Emma, 13, and Joshua, 10.

Lydia's fourth birthday came on the day her mother was murdered.

A neighbour yesterday told the Keighley News: "She was a really genuine and lovely person. I was upset and shocked when I found out. It's a dreadful waste of life."

A second officer, Teresa Milburn, 37, was shot in the shoulder in the incident and is recovering at home.

Paul, 42, a landscape gardener, branded the killers as "cowards" and claimed the "world would be a darker place without her".

In a moving tribute, he said: "Sharon was my rock. She was loved by everyone who met her. It breaks my heart to think that I will never hear her infectious laugh again."

A civic memorial service is being held in Bradford's Centenary Square today, beginning at 3.15pm, and people are being asked to observe a two-minute silence at 3 30pm.

The Mayor of Keighley Town Council, Cllr Tony Wright, expressed his sorrow and urged Keighley people to take the time to reflect during the silence tomorrow.

"On behalf of the council, we are deeply shocked. My sympathies certainly go out to her family," he said.

"Every now and again an event comes along that reminds us how shocking life can be. It's a tragic incident.

"I would urge everyone to pause and reflect during the silence on the service of our police officers and how they put their lives on the line."

l West Yorkshire Police are currently seeking three men in connection with the incident.

Five men and a woman were arrested in London over the weekend. The men have now been released on bail and the woman released without charge.