WILTSHIRE police sergeant Martin Alvis is the neighbourhood policing sergeant with particular responsibility for Chippenham.

He is 43 and was born in Taunton, Somerset, before moving to Wiltshire in 1976. He now lives with his family, including six children, in Grittleton, near Chippenham.

How would your best friend describe you?

Different!

Where would you recommend for a great day or evening out?

Asda at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol at 7pm by the reduced cabinet as there are loads of bargains! Failing that a trip to the north Devon coast with its dramatic scenery. It's breathtaking.

What do you do for fun?

I love gardening, in particular growing vegetables that are picked and cooked and on the table within hours. I enjoy looking after my vintage tractor and driving it around with the kids and I enjoy first-person games on my PC.

Describe your most vivid dream.

That would get people talking! The next one would be flying, I dream often about being among a crowd and flapping my arms and floating up into the sky. I don't know why but it's quite fun and I guess it beats walking everywhere!

Who in the public eye do you most respect and why?

Richard Branson or anyone that starts with nothing and makes a fortune that then benefits others.

Not those that are born with a silver spoon and then expect the world to owe them a favour.

What is your biggest regret?

Not working harder when I was at school. I don't know why I didn't but I just wasn't interested at the time.

What is your favourite film or TV programme and why?

I have two, Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds in The Greatest Little Whore House in Texas - fantastic music, funny and different.

The second is Artificial Intelligence by Steven Spielberg. It is moving and I don't mind admitting it brings a lump to my throat every time I watch it, particularly the ending.

What makes you sad?

The death of a child or young person who has not had the opportunities and experience of life. Also people that moan about life and their surroundings but won't do anything to make things better for themselves.

Describe your perfect day?

Getting up when I want to, having nothing particular to do, pottering around the garden chilling out, eating some good English roast lamb with new potatoes, mint sauce etc, and winding down with a film with the patio doors open and the receding heat of the summer day (when it's not raining) coming through.