Police Constable Simon Ford and Sergeant Steve Bowen were badly burned after Martin Sands turned himself into a human fireball in his car.

The pair rushed to Grafton Street, Buckland, Portsmouth, after reports came in of a man threatening to kill himself outside his wife's home.

When they arrived they found 44-year-old Mr Sands in the driver's seat holding a petrol can.

PC Ford and Sgt Bowen tried to pull him out of the car and were covered in petrol.

Mr Sands then set his clothing alight creating a fireball, which sent the officers flying backwards.

PC Ford, 38, said: 'I just did what I thought was right. I said to Steve, "If we don't get this bloke out of this car right now, he's going to blow up". Then he did.

'There was a bit of force, a bit of a blast, intense heat and a big flash of yellow, like someone shining a light in your face.

'It just happened. We just did it.'

PC Ford took the full force of the blast in his face, causing temporary blindness.

His eyes and all the hair on his face was burned.

Sgt Bowen's arms were also severely burned.

Mr Sands got out of the car and the two officers threw themselves at him in a bid to cover him and put out the fire.

They used coats and blankets to smother the flames.

But Mr Sands, of no fixed abode, was too badly burned and died.

Sgt Bowen, 30, said: 'We feel sorry for him. He was clearly in a very dark place.

'We just went into autopilot.

'It was our duty to protect him from himself. Unfortunately, we didn't succeed.'

Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan said: 'I am delighted that Sgt Bowen and PC Ford have been recognised in this manner by Her Majesty the Queen.

'I spoke to both officers following the incident and know they felt they were only doing their duty. However, I was clear in my own mind that they had demonstrated great courage and selflessness.

'They are a credit to Hampshire Constabulary.'