When Detective Constable Clinton Novelle heard he was to be commended for his work in New York after September 11, his first reaction was ... embarrassment.

Mr Novelle, 42, flew to New York with less then 24 hours' notice and was thrust into an apocalyptic world of death and destruction.

His job, along with a team of 23 other family liaison officers from the UK, was to look after British families in their darkest hour.

He felt their horror, pain and despair while providing both practical and emotional support. At the same time, he had to remain strong in the face of such adversity.

But his Certificate of Merit came as a surprise, he says.

The Haywards Heath-based father-of-two said: "I was surprised and humbled. I have never seen myself as any different from all the other rescue workers, policemen and firefighters working away in New York.

"I went out there and did my job, no more and no less. I am not a hero.

"I accepted the award not just for me but for everyone involved in the operation. I was one of a team. That was what got me through my time in New York.

"We arrived there as strangers but went away as friends for life."

Mr Novelle said the families were still coming to terms with their loss. Some have sent him letters of thanks for his support in New York.

He recalled: "It was heartbreaking going to the homes of families and feeling the pain they were going through."

About 80 Britons, seven of whom have relatives in Sussex, are now thought to have been killed in the airliner suicide attacks. None of their bodies has yet been recovered.

On Friday members of Sussex Police presented NYPD Detective Willie Dotson, who flew over from New York, with a book of condolences and a cheque for widows and orphans of victims.

Mr Novelle, who helped raise more than £2,000 for the fund while in New York, said: "I spoke to Willie at length and he told me he was on the scene very shortly after the attack.

"His experience overshadowed anything I went through. Our support obviously meant a lot to him."

He said the work of helping people affected by the attacks was ongoing and did not rule out the possibility of going back to the city.

Mr Novelle, who will meet the rest of the British team of officers as part of their debriefing process this week, said: "I would go back out there tomorrow with no hesitation.

"I feel proud of how we were able to help British families. Their grief will stay with me forever."