POLICE officers who attended the scene of a horrific accident will receive awards in recognition of their work.

In June 2001 a family of four from Poole, Dorset, were killed in a crash with a 32-tonne articulated lorry.

Naomi Stephens, 36, Timothy Embleton, 50, and their daughters Caitlin, seven, and four-year-old Isabel Stephens died instantly after a head-on smash on the A36 Warminster bypass.

A team of officers attended the scene and were faced with the devastation. The family's VW Golf was hardly recognisable after the impact and emergency services only realised children were involved when they found a teddy bear, a booster seat and a children's book in the wreckage.

At a police presentation ceremony today Ian Soulsby, Ian Saunders, Tania Hedley, Dave Townsend, James Suter, Lee Poolman and Mark Gale were due to receive merits.

WPC Hedley said she will never forget what she saw that evening.

"I drive along that stretch of road almost every day and I always think about the family because I have children that age," she said.

"It was horrific but all the emergency services worked well together. The fire brigade were brilliant."

After the accident counselling was offered to the officers and PC Townsend admitted taking advantage of the support.

PC Poolman said it was difficult to feel happy about receiving an award on the back of a serious accident.

"It is not something you expect an award for but it is nice to receive recognition for good work," he said.

"It is the worst accident I have ever come across. I will never forget it."

Last April, the lorry driver, Christopher Hannon, 34, of Tysign, Risca, Gwent was jailed for five years for causing death by dangerous driving.