Police Inspector Paul Tanner, a former John Masefield High School pupil, has received his Gallantry Medal from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

In December 2001, Insp Tanner was stabbed in the chest and arm at London's Finsbury Park Underground Station.

But he still tackled his attacker and prevented a young girl from being harmed.

His parents, Mike and Lynn, who still live in Ledbury, went to the Palace to support their son on one of the proudest days in the family's history.

Mr Tanner said: "It was a brilliant day. About 80 people were there getting MBEs and OBEs, but Paul was the only one getting the Gallantry Medal.

"This was the final, happy chapter to the terrible events of a few years ago and we were all very proud."

Also at the Palace were Insp Tanner's wife Nancy and their six-year-old daughter, Alyssa.

Insp Tanner said: "It was a day I'll never forget and my proudest highlight was showing my father the medal, just after it had been presented by the Queen."

Alyssa, who is keen on fairytale princesses, was particularly pleased to be able to go to a real palace and to see the Queen in person.