THE UK’s longest serving Special policeman has narrowly missed out on an award that celebrates Brave Britons.

Richard Warren, of Hullavington, was runner-up in the Service to Their Country category at the Amplifon Award ceremony at the Army and Navy Club in London on Tuesday.

The 74-year-old special constable was presented with his award by The Duke of Kent at the ceremony, which was hosted by Falklands War hero Simon Weston.

Mr Warren, who recently received a Force long service award, was thrilled to meet royalty. He said: “It was a fantastic day and meeting the Duke of Kent was special.

“He is the second member of the Royal Family I have met.

“I was introduced to the Queen in 2016.

“The awards room was full of heroes and it was a privilege to be amongst them.”

Mr Warren has been volunteering on the beat for 52 years and does not have any intentions of stopping soon, as he takes to the Malmesbury streets once a fortnight to carry out patrols.

He said: “I haven’t made that many arrests but I have been involved with other people’s arrests and helped them stay safe by being a chatty person and making sure the arrested person is distracted.

“The best part of the role is being involved with real life. It’s really nice to know you can do things to help other people at stressful times in their lives.

“It’s great to have been nominated but the person that really deserves an award is my wife because she’s had to put up with me all these years. I’m very lucky to be the age that I am and still be able to do the things I do.”

Mr Warren also cares for his wife, Lynette, who has multiple sclerosis and is taking part in his fifth marathon in London in 2020.

The award was won by former bomb disposal experts Joel Snarr and Daniel Nicholson, who rescued three people from a burning light aircraft when it crash landed on the A40 in South Wales.