Sting in concert with The Police

The Police played their last reunion gig in New York on Thursday night – with frontman Sting saying it was a miracle the post-punk trio hadn't strangled each other.

Sting thanked guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland for their "musicianship, companionship and understanding".

The reunion tour saw the band perform 150 shows over 14 months. The reunion was the highest-grossing tour of 2007.

After their set, which included covers of Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze and Sunshine of Your Love by Cream alongside the band's own hit, the three walked off stage to the cartoon signature tune, That's All, Folks.

During the show, Sting took his shirt off and had female stylists shave his beard. He was also kissed by drummer Copeland.

Three of Sting's daughters came on stage at one point during the show, while New York City's police band also made an appearance.

Sting said: "The real triumph of this tour is that we haven't strangled each other. Not to say it hasn't crossed my mind - or Andy's or Stewart's," he told the crowd.

The Police played their first US gig at legendary New York punk club CBGBs in 1978.

The band, who formed in London in 1976 originally with guitarist Henry Padovani, were one of the biggest bands of the late 1970s and early 80s, with hits such as Roxanne, Message In A Bottle, Walking On The Moon and Every Breath You Take.

Though they never officially split up, their last album was in 1983 and Sting concentrated instead on a solo career.

The reunion tour is thought to have made more than £180m.