An Essex Police dispatcher joined Nick Knowles and his BBC DIY SOS team to help an officer who was seriously injured in the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack.

Bret Dawson, a communications officer in the police force control room, volunteered as a decorator on the hit television show to help Met Police officer Pc Kris Aves, who suffered multiple injuries in the March 22 attack.

Pc Aves was hit by the speeding car and left with two broken legs, head injuries, a lacerated elbow, a damaged left shoulder and sternum.

Spinal cord injuries sustained in the attack have left him wheelchair bound.

Mr Dawson, from Chelmsford, and over 300 other volunteer tradesman joined the DIY SOS team to make Pc Aves’ home suitable for his rehabilitation on his return from a seven-month stay at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

As one of two decorators, Mr Dawson’s main duty was painting the outside of the house and preparing the masses of painting to go on inside the property. Multiple other changes were made to Pc Aves’ house, including the vital installation of a lift.

Mr Dawson said: “I like helping people, and Pc Aves’ case was particularly close to my heart given my day job.

“It was an exhausting week for me, as I was still working shifts alongside decorating. I even moved house in the last two days of filming.

“But to be able to give back to someone like Pc Aves is an honour, and it’s an experience I’ll remember forever.”

You can watch DIY SOS on BBC 1 tonight at 8pm.