A woman who died from a brain haemorrhage after being kicked in the head while helping to transport a prisoner from court was posthumously honoured at an award ceremony.

Custody officer Lorraine Barwell, of Harold Wood, died after she was kicked by Humphrey Burke as she helped escort him from Blackfriars Crown Court in July 2015.

Ms Barwell was one of 35 people to receive the Order of St John award for organ donation, collected on her behalf by daughter, Louise Barwell.

The Order’s Paul Herbage MBE said: “We recognise that receiving this award on behalf of their loved in front of others isn’t easy for some families, and is quite an emotional occasion.

“However, we hope that as well as it being formal recognition and a thank you for their loved one’s life saving donation, the ceremony brings a sense of pride and comfort to all the families involved.”

The ceremony was held at the Priory Church of the Order of St John, Clerkenwell, on Wednesday, October 5 with the awards presented by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London Kenneth Olisa OBE.

Between 2015 and 2016, thanks to the generosity of donors and their families, the number of deceased donors went up by six per cent from 1,282 to 1,364.

However, there are still around 6,500 people on the UK transplant waiting list and around three people die each day in need of an organ.

Burke, 23, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and found unfit to stand trial after being charged with murdering Ms Barwell.

He was detained indefinitely under a hospital order but could be tried for murder in the future if his condition improves.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit organdonation.nhs.uk or call 03001232323.