A rookie officer who took on the London Bridge terrorists with a baton was stabbed in the face and suffered "life-altering injuries", a friend has revealed.

The officer was wounded in the face, leg and hands when he attempted to tackle the knife-wielding terrorists as they continued their killing spree in the bars and restaurants around Borough Market.

A friend whose husband works with the officer, who has not yet been named, told The Telegraph he had sustained “life altering but not life threatening” injuries in the brutal attack, hailing him as a hero who “sets the example we should all follow”.

The officer, who joined the British Transport Police less than two years ago, is believed to have been still on probation.

BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther paid tribute to the “enormous courage” of his colleague, after it was revealed he had fought off the terrorists armed with just his baton.