In 1982, a Cheltenham police officer on foot patrol was badly injured, when a burglar fleeing the scene of crime ran him down with his car.

The burglar was subsequently arrested for attempted murder, prosecuted and jailed; the officer went on to make a full recovery and we know him today as Gloucestershire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Martin Surl.

During his period of recuperation, Mr Surl spent a fortnight at a special centre dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick or injured serving and retired police officers.

The Convalescent Police Seaside Home in Hove, near Brighton, was the forerunner to the Police Rehabilitation Centre now based at Flint House in Goring-on-Thames, Oxon.

Mr Surl was invited to visit Flint House this week and has been seeing at first hand the work it does.

"It's quite different from the time I was undergoing treatment at the seaside home, but the principle is the same, helping officers to get better after illness or injury," he said.

"Where in my day, it was generally bed-rest and physiotherapy, the rehabilitation programme here is tailored to the individual and these days can include a wide variety of treatments, from acupuncture to psychological support."

The centre is funded primarily by voluntary contributions from police officers serving in member forces.

Its focus is to help get officers back to duty quickly, effectively and with long-lasting results, which is a benefit to both the officer and the public purse.

Last year, Flint House treated 49 Gloucestershire Police officers.