A Croydon firefighter was last week honoured as a hero alongside 19 other firefighters commended for their bravery in last year's Ladbroke Grove train disaster.

Jamie McDonnell, of North Kensington fire station, was one of the first to arrive at the horrific scene just three minutes after the first 999 calls were received.

He was praised for his resourcefulness and compassion under extreme pressure in the Letter of Congratulation presented by Chief Fire Officer Brian Robinson.

The ceremony was held at the London Fire Brigade's training centre in Southwark on October 24.

The letter described how crews from North Kensington and Paddington who were first and second to reach the scene had no idea of the true extent of the disaster that was to face them.

"Their collective actions, swift responses and professional skills and judgement were vital in reducing the risks of further loss of life and injury during those early minutes and subsequently as extra crews and resources arrived."

Remembering the aftermath of the crash Mr McDonnell said: "I've been in the job 10 years now, but nothing prepared me for that.

"You go into auto-pilot and deal with the job ahead - it's only afterwards that you have time to reflect.

Mr McDonnell recalls releasing a man he found tangled in a cable and a woman trapped under wreckage.

He told how he remembers most vividly the calmness of station officer Dick Hodson, also from North Kensington fire station, who has received a Certificate of Commendation.

"The brigade offered counselling but I felt it was no good talking about it to a complete stranger who hadn't been there - I talked about it with my colleagues who were there."