A police officer dragged along behind a car he had stopped in Larkfield has been nominated for a national Police Bravery Award.

PC John Fordham was on plain-clothes duty when he saw a gold VW Golf acting suspiciously and followed it to the Wealden Hall pub car park in London Road, in July 2014.

After identifying himself he leaned through the driver’s window to try to remove the keys.

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The car shot off and as a result he became trapped and was dragged along at speed on to the main road.

The driver, dad of three Lewis Goldswain, 28, made no attempt to stop and drove into railings and then reversed back into a traffic pole, crushing the police officer.

PC Fordham, who has served with Kent Police for eight years, was left with serious injuries and was unable to return to duty for another six months.

He continues to receive significant medical treatment.

Goldswain, who is from Halling, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for three years and three months, and disqualified from driving for three years.

Judge Jeremy Carey said of PC Fordham: "He, in my judgment, represents all that is good and worthwhile of those who serve as police officers in the course of duty."

Chris Carter, chairman of the Kent Police Federation, said: "What PC Fordham did was nothing short of remarkable.

"He literally risked his life to stop this offender and sadly still lives with the repercussions of that to this day.

"This dedication to duty is well deserving of a Police Bravery Award."