A KENT policeman whose heroic actions helped save many lives as the Boxing Day tsunami waves savaged the paradise islands of the Maldives is to be personally thanked by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Insp Ken Elmes, from Margate, has been invited to a special Downing Street reception after being hailed one of 10 winners in the annual Vodafone Life Savers Awards that pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the emergency services, as well as recognising the bravery of ordinary people.

Mr Blair said: “The prospect of risking one’s own life to save another requires a huge strength of will. The brave people who have been nominated for these awards are fantastic examples of courage and fortitude and must never be undervalued. I commend them all.”

Insp Elmes was snorkelling off the idyllic holiday island of Velavaru on Boxing Day when he saw his terrified wife, Jane, running along the beach to escape the tidal waves. He raced to join her but they were both caught in the swirling torrent.

For a moment, it looked as though Jane would be swept to her death as she disappeared from sight, but Ken managed to reach under the water and pulled her to him, grabbing a tree where they clung desperately together.

As the first wave surged past, the couple faced another terrifying ordeal – a mass of debris battered their aching bodies, threatening to dislodge them from the tree.

When the water had subsided, dazed guests and hotel staff gathered in a state of shock.

Realising there was a good chance of another wave, he quickly collected life jackets and gave them to the women and children – minutes before the island was submerged by a second surge.

Meanwhile, survivors were running towards a two-storey building – but as Insp Elmes followed, he saw staff struggling to help an elderly man who had difficulty walking.

With a second wall of water racing across the island, Insp Elmes swept up the disabled holidaymaker in his arms and carried him to safety.

As the water receded, the police officer learned the man had lost his wife and immediately set off to search for her – later returning to break the sad news he had found her body.

In the aftermath, he continued to lead and inspire the small group of 144 who had survived the terrifying ordeal.

He became the principal coordinator, working with the island manager and keeping up morale until a rescue boat arrived 36 hours later.

His fellow guests speak of his incredible leadership, his ability to instil calm and confidence, his sensitivity to those who suffered bereavement, his professionalism and his unfailing sense of humour.

Only one other life was lost on Velavaru that day – and those who survived say it was because of the heroic efforts of Insp Elmes.

He will meet Mr Blair on Thursday, November 17 before going on to a star-studded gala luncheon at London’s Savoy Hotel to be presented with his special award.

One of the judges, Falklands War veteran Simon Weston, said: “These are the people who had a split-second choice – do something, or do nothing. For them, failure was not an option.”

Tim Miles, chief executive officer of Vodafone UK said: “The quality of entries was outstanding and selecting just 10 National Life savers from so many brave stories was an extremely tough task.

“However, we felt this rescue was particularly impressive and his outstanding actions that day embody the spirit of all those unsung heroes in our emergency services, whose work we so often take for granted.”