The officer who shot dead a terrorist at the Westminster attacks last year has given evidence today.

The inquest into the death of Khalid Masood, who was born in Dartford and went to school in Tunbridge Wells, is currently being held at the Old Bailey.

Masood, 52, killed five people in the attack on March 22 last year after driving into pedestrians on Westminster bridge.

He then jumped out of the vehicle towards the gates of parliament where he stabbed PC Keith Palmer.

Two close protection officers who were guarding a VIP at the houses of parliament that day, have given evidence in court.

The officer, known as SB 73, said they heard a loud band and they both started walking towards the noise.

They were confronted with screams and saw people running, at which point they got very concerned.

SB 73 said his colleague, SA 74, was a few steps ahead of him.

He drew his weapon and shouted a warning at a man running towards him before he opened fire.

SA 74 said: “I knew something really quite terrible was happening.”

He saw a large black man running towards him with two large kitchen knives covered in blood.

Police officers were in front with their batons drawn. He drew his gun and shouted a warning “to the effect of drop the knife” but he kept running towards him.

He said at that point he had no choice but to open fire and shot three times until the threat was stopped and Khalid Masood had fallen to the ground.

Both officers have finished giving evidence.