A Chelmsford dispatcher turned his skills to BBC’s ‘DIY SOS’ to help an officer in need.

Bret Dawson, a Communications Officer in the Essex Police Control Room, volunteered as a decorator to help an officer injured in a terrorist.

Bret, from Chelmsford, and over 300 other volunteer tradesman joined presenter Nick Knowles to make Pc Aves’ home suitable for his rehabilitation on his return from a seven-month stay at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Pc Kris Aves, a Metropolitan Police officer was seriously injured in the Westminster Bridge attack on March 22, 2017.

After being hit by the speeding car, Pc Aves was left with two broken legs, head injuries, a lacerated elbow, a damaged left shoulder and sternum. Spinal cord injuries sustained in the terrorist attack have left him wheelchair-bound.

As one of two decorators, Bret’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.

Bret 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 view Pc Aves’ journey on BBC iPlayer at bbc.co.uk/iplayer.