A VOLUNTEER police officer was rewarded for his kindness with a thank you gift sent from the other side of the world.

Special Sgt Andrew Morgan was working at a music event in Colchester in July when he was stopped by a woman who was with her young daughter.

They were visiting from Japan but had got lost and were unsure how to get back to their hotel.

By this time it was dark and raining and Sgt Morgan decided it would be best to escort them to where they were staying because of how far away it was.

Earlier this week - some three months after he went above and beyond for them - he arrived at Colchester police station for another shift and found a parcel had been delivered and was addressed for him.

The gift had been sent more than 5,000 miles from the woman he had helped who lives in Toyama City in Japan.

Sgt Morgan, who has been giving up his time for more than a decade, said he was humbled to receive the present.

“It’s touching to receive a thank you like this especially as I was simply helping to keep the lady and her daughter safe," he said.

“I volunteer an average of 20 hours a month which can be challenging but as you can see from this incident, it’s rewarding too. Here’s to another ten years of volunteering in my community.”

Anyone who wants to volunteer should visit essex.police.uk/specials.