A SOLDIER who defused seven bombs without wearing protective clothing has received a Pride of Britain award, only to dedicate it to his colleagues.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Kim Hughes, from Abingdon, helped save the lives of two wounded servicemen surrounded by improvised explosive devices by clearing a path for rescuers while under fire in “the single most outstanding act of bomb disposal in Afghanistan”.

Last night, the 31-year-old father-of-one, who is based at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot, received a Special Recognition award at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.

WO Hughes said: “It’s outstanding to be nominated for such a prestigious award such as this. However, the work I do is part of a team effort, not just about me on the ground.

“I do not accept it on my own, but on behalf of all the High Threat Improvised Explosive Device Operators that have worked in Afghanistan and those who are doing so today.”

In August last year, a booby-trap killed three servicemen and left two wounded and surrounded by more IEDs.

WO Hughes, of the Royal Logistic Corps, dismantled seven bombs, including five using his hands, as there was no time to place detonation charges and retreat to a safe distance.

The act of bravery also won WO Hughes the George Cross, which he received from The Queen at Buckingham Palace in March.

His medal citation described it as “the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan”.

More than 100 famous faces, including Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Russell Brand, attended the gala evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, which will be broadcast on ITV1 at 8pm tomorrow.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also attended the awards for the first time to mark the 10th anniversary of the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award.

Awards spokesman Rupert Smith said: “Kim’s decisive action to save comrades in peril is indicative of the heroism shown daily by our troops in battle.

“His fearless individual bravery, in the face of incredible danger, saved soldiers’ lives.”

A second Special Recognition award also went to the armed forces’ Afghanistan Counter-IED Task Force, which WO Hughes was serving with last year, and which relies heavily on soldiers from the Didcot-based 11 Explosive Ordnance Regiment.