A trio of volunteer police officers who have worked around 1,200 hours between them this year have been shortlisted for a national Home Office Award.

Special Constables Shane Bartley, Simon Boygle and Toby Speller from the Marine Unit have been shortlisted for the Special Constabulary Team award at this year’s Home Office Lord Ferrers Awards.

The awards ceremony is hosted by the government to recognise and highlight the work of volunteers across the country give to policing.

The group have been recognised for their work in policing Essex' coastline, one of the largest in the country.

The officers patrol around 400 miles from the Dartford River Crossing to Harwich.

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: "They work in all weathers alongside a team of regular officers to carry out patrols and respond to incidents on the water.

"They also support national operations and work with partners like Border Force and the Coastguard.

"The officers spend a large portion of their time engaging with communities to tackle anti-social behaviour and to build an intelligence picture to target future patrols."

They’ve received a wide range of training to help them in a sometimes hostile marine environment including enhanced first aid training and advanced powerboat training.

The team will find out if they have won at a ceremony in London later this month.

Last year, Essex Police' Mental Health Street Triage team Special Constables won the award.