A Maidstone delivery driver has a new nickname after being honoured for bravery following a remarkable motorway rescue.

Dee Patel received a Pride of Britain award at a star-studded ceremony after putting his life at risk to save a woman who was having a fit at the wheel of her car while driving on the M25 and had zigzagged across the busy carriageway.

The quick-thinking father-of-two used his vehicle to shunt her car off the motorway, preventing a potentially fatal accident.

Mr Patel was then able to get into the unconscious driver’s vehicle and stay with her until emergency services arrived.

The 49-year-old, of Wilsons Lane, East Farleigh, said: “It was rush-hour and I noticed the car in front of me scraping along the central reservation.

"It was only brief so I thought the driver had momentarily lost control but then the car did it again and was thrown across four lanes.

"It then swerved from the hard shoulder back across the lanes and ended up in front of me.

“The car must still have been travelling at 65 to 70mph and the road was full. At this point I realised I had to do something and set about using my van to manoeuvre hers off the motorway. It was very scary but I didn’t think twice.”

He added: “The car was a write-off but no other vehicles were involved and I was able to smash the back window and get to her.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesman praised Mr Patel, who works for Surrey-based Zehnder, for his courage, and said if it wasn’t for his actions the incident could have been very serious.

The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards celebrate the unsung heroes of the nation. The ceremony was broadcast on ITV last night.

Mr Patel, who was presented his award by David Hasselhoff, said: “The ceremony was great. Barbara Windsor was lovely and I can’t praise David enough.

“He even gave me a signed Knight Rider pocket square which says 'To Dee, the real life Knight Rider, from David Hasselhoff'.”