'Skateboard hero’ Ignacio Echeverria who confronted London Bridge terrorists posthumously awarded by Queen

Ignacio Echeverria, the man who died during the London Bridge attack while trying to fight off the terrorists using just his skateboard has been posthumously honoured by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The 39-year-old's parents collected The George Medal, an award that recognises acts of great bravery, on behalf of their son who died while trying to protect an injured woman.

Mr Echeverria's actions led to him being dubbed the "skateboard hero" in the aftermath of the attack.

Joaquin Echeverria Alonso, the banker's father, said he was "sorry" his son was unable to collect the award himself, and told ITV News of the "love" he still has for him.

Mr Echeverria was one of eight people killed, and nearly 50 injured, when Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane, and Youssef Zaghba, mowed people down with a car and went on a stabbing rampage, before being shot dead by police on June 3, 2017.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Alonso said the Queen asked him about his son's bravery on the night of the attack - particularly that he had tried to use his skateboard to fight off the terrorists.

Through a translator Mr Alonso, who had flown to London from Madrid, said the day was a "special moment but very emotional" for him and his wife Maria Miralles De Imperial Hornedo.

He said: "To recognise the courage of my son, he will be remembered. He was a generous man and he helped when it was necessary."

Three police officers who responded to the terror attack were also honoured on Thursday.

Pc Charlie Guenigault, who was off duty at the time of the attack and was enjoying a night out with friends after work was also awarded The George Medal.

When the attack was launched, Mr Guenigault ran towards attackers and received serious injuries to his head, back and stomach.

He said: "[The Queen] was saying about me being off duty and asked why I made the decision, and I said I'm not really sure, it just came to me at the time.

"You don't do what we did intending to end up in Buckingham Palace, for all of us we did it pretty instinctively."

Pc Wayne Marques was also awarded The George Medal for "great courage" after being stabbed repeatedly as he fought off terrorists during the attack.

Mr Marques said the award was "an amazing honour" and "a once-in-a-lifetime thing to make my friends, family and colleagues proud.

"You can do nothing but appreciate the acknowledgement that the Queen, the royal family and the British public have given us.

"For me nothing was done for a medal, we did what we needed to do at the time."

Constable Leon McLeod of the British Transport Police has also received the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his actions on the night.