A police officer knifed by the London Bridge attackers after tackling them with his bare hands has finished the London Marathon – despite not having fully recovered.

Charlie Guenigault, 26, ran to raise money for King’s College Hospital where he had three hours of emergency surgery after being stabbed five times by jihadists on June 3 last year.

“They’re the ones who basically saved my life … it was touch and go for a moment,” he said after finishing.

“I remember being awake in hospital and hearing what they were trying to do … waking up three-four days later from a coma and thinking that you’re still alive, despite how drugged-up you are, is quite a nice feeling.”

Mr Guenigault revealed he was “very much looking forward to being back” at work in the next few weeks.

The off-duty Metropolitan Police constable had been enjoying a summer’s night after-work drink when the attackers began their rampage on the bridge and Borough Market, killing eight and wounding almost 50 people.

Mr Guenigault spent three months in hospital recovering and was last year awarded a Pride of Britain Outstanding Bravery Award.

The Chelsea fan went on: “When I came out of hospital doctors said to do as much exercise as you can so with that in mind I decided to do a marathon.

“I don’t think I’m fully recovered, I’m still feeling slight inside pains. As much as how difficult the race was, at the end of the day I’m just glad to say I can do it.”

Mr Guenigault said the money will go toward building a new critical care unit for the south London hospital.

He added: “Even early on I said I would come back to work, it’s just a matter of when I was ready, when the job felt I was ready and obviously when all my family and friends thought I was ready as well.

“Work, especially my team, came to visit all the time, friends and family as well.

“All through hospital I had someone visit me every day. That helped so much … I can’t thank them enough.”