A FORMER Hereford Rugby Club player has been given a bravery award for risking his life in the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack.

Mike Crofts has been given the Royal Humane Society’s bronze medal for his heroic actions during the tragic events of March 22, 2017.

Ex-army officer Mike, whose mother is a recovery nurse at Hereford County Hospital, was awarded the medal along with his former army colleague Staff Sergeant Tony Davis.

Mr Crofts, a former captain in the Royal Tank Regiment, and SSgt Davis witnessed the terrorist Khalid Masood enter New Palace Yard in the Palace of Westminster and the assault on PC Keith Palmer, who lost his life in the attack.

The pair were the first on the scene and ran to the policeman’s aid, where they led initial attempts to resuscitate PC Palmer before being joined by Tobias Elwood MP and other police officers.

Mr Crofts said: “Tony and myself are incredibly humbled to be honoured in this way.

“I would like to dedicate this ward to the great sacrifice and tremendous bravery of Keith Palmer on that fateful day.

“The police do an amazing job in confronting radicalisation in Britain but we all have a role in supporting them to improve community integration.”

He was presented with his medal at a private ceremony by the High Sheriff of London, attended by the assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in charge of counter terrorism, Neil Basu.

The bronze medal, which was introduced in 1837, is presented to those people who have put their own lives at great risk to save or attempt to save someone else.

Mr Crofts was highly commended by the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Cressida Dick in a private ceremony last year.

His actions were also recognised by Prime Minster Theresa May in her address to the Sandhurst Sovereign Parade in April 2017.

Mr Crofts and SSgt Davis were in Parliament on the day of the attack attending a reception for the British Boxing Team.

Mr Crofts founded criminal justice charity 3 Pillars Project after leaving the army, which is a criminal justice charity working with young offenders in London and the South East.

The charity provides mentoring and prison based-rehabilitation programmes through sport for young men aged between 15 to 25.