A RETIRED detective who helped snare two killers has been commended at a national awards ceremony.

Former Detective Superintendent Anne McKerchar was part of the team who hunted down two men who killed three members of one family in a house fire.

Scott Snowden and Robert Jennings killed 55-year-old Thomas Sharkey Snr, his son Thomas Jnr, 21, and eight year-old daughter Bridget.

Mr Sharkey's children died in the blaze at their home in Scott Court, Helensburgh, on July 24 2011. He later died of his injuries in hospital.

Ms McKerchar, who was a Chief Inspector, received the Special Recognition Awarded at the Scottish Women's Development Forum Awards.

She joined the police in 1984 and worked through a "changing and often challenging" environment, before retiring in May.

Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan said: "Anne, in my opinion, paved the way in what was a male dominated environment, for many of the excellent female officers that we have, not only in the organisation but the CID."