A PC led his colleagues in giving blood after a donation helped his wife following the birth of their child.

When PC Rob Sweetland asked his fellow officers at north Kent police station to donate to the National Blood Service (NBS) last week, so many volunteered that six had to arrange to do it another time.

A total of 34 gave blood at the session, which PC Sweetland organised to thank the NBS for ensuring his wife had enough blood after giving birth to their daughter Grace in July last year.

The 28-year-old said: “It was the happiest day of our lives as Grace had arrived, but the worst as it left Jenny so poorly and needing around 20 units of blood.

“Someone somewhere had taken the time to donate it, so I wanted to give something back by giving my blood and getting colleagues to do so as well.”