This is the remarkable story of how an off-duty volunteer police officer saved two children from drowning in the River Thames in Ham.

Spencer Mayger, 49, was enjoying a kayaking trip in the borough on a sunny day earlier this month.

He was suddenly approached by a member of the public who asked him to save two children who had gone adrift in a blow-up dinghy.

It took SC Mayger about 7-8 minutes to grab his kayak and paddle against the tide to reach the children.

After tying their boat to his waist, he brought them safely back to shore.

Mr Mayger, who is a special constable for Tolworth and Chessington Police, said: "I saw a toy-boat with two kids in drifting down the Thames.

"They were about six and seven years old, with no lifejackets on.

"They were screaming and hysterical and only one had armbands on.

"If I hadn't have got to them I believe there would've been serious consequences."

Richmond Police shared the story and said: "The Thames has been a popular draw for people in the hot weather recently and we've been warning of the various dangers it brings which can pose significant risks to inexperienced swimmers."

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