A heroic Wimbledon policeman who risked his life to rescue children from a burning coach has won a national award.

PC Colin Swan was off duty when he battled through thick smoke to help about 50 people escape a coach that burst into flames on the motorway and exploded seconds after the last passenger had been rescued.

Last night (Wednesday) the policeman was a winner at the News of the World’s Children’s Champions Awards, a ceremony recognising extraordinary efforts to help young people.

PC Swan was on the M3 with his family on July 31 last year when he noticed smoke pouring from a coach ahead of him. The vehicle was taking Sikhs from the Gurunanak Gurdwara temple in Luton home after a day trip to Weymouth.

The father-of-two signalled for the coach driver to slow down, and eventually pulled in front of the vehicle to make it stop. He raced on to the double decker coach and called for passengers to leave it immediately - then began to help terrified children struggling to get down from the top deck.

The coach had filled up with thick smoke, and halfway through the evacuation it was rocked by a small explosion.

PC Swan suffered cuts and bruises after throwing himself off the coach - that exploded seconds later.

The officer said: “My family thought I was dead. When they saw me walking back towards the car they just couldn’t believe it.”

He was nominated by Bhupinder Rajoo, 42, who said: “I was the second to last person off that coach and I remember Colin pushing me out of the door and screaming at me to run. I heard the explosion and to be honest I thought he hadn’t made it. He was so close to sacrificing himself for us.

“Saying thank you doesn’t cut it because, quite simply, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He’s an absolute hero.”

The 47-year-old, who has been with the force for almost two years, was handed his award during a televised final at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London. His prize included £5,000 and a reception with the Prime Minister.