Detectives who foiled a plan to kill US servicemen near airbases in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire are up for a top police award.

Earlier this year 25-year-old delivery driver Junead Khan was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison after he was convicted of planning a Lee Rigby-style attack near to airbases, including RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall.

The team of officers, led by Detective Superintendent Peter Holdcroft, from SO15 - the Metropolitan Police's counter terrorism command, are nominated for the Detective Investigation of the Year category at the Police Federation's upcoming National Detective Awards.

The investigation, which uncovered a direct link to Islamic State (IS) in Syria, tried untested forensic methods that have never been used in the world before to lead the way in forensic chemical analysis, securing the Metropolitan Police with key evidence to support a charge.

Police Federation National Detectives' Forum (PFNDF) chair Martin Plummer said: 'PFNDF is proud to reward the intricate, dedicated and innovative investigations carried out by detectives throughout England and Wales.

'This year's Seminar and Awards again showcase the very best of detectives' work both individually and collectively.

'Nominations from constabularies around the entire country have again highlighted incredible tenacity, perseverance and dedication by detectives to overcome all obstacles ensuring justice for the victims of crime of some of the worst offences imaginable.'

The PFNDF Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual and Police Money Matters, is an annual event which this year received over 70 nominations from across the service.

There are four categories this year including: Detective Investigation of the Year, Services to Detectives, The Smarter Detective and New Trainee Detective. In addition, the PFNDF Award for Outstanding Contribution will be presented to an organisation which has made an outstanding contribution to policing and victims of crime.

The ceremony takes place on October 13 at The Forest Pines Hotel, Scunthorpe.

Sentencing Khan, from Luton, at London's Kingston Crown Court earier this year, Mr Justice Edis said: 'Junead Khan was not far from the commission of the murder to be committed by horrifying method in the street in order to create terror and terrorist propaganda in this country.

'His offence was so serious that a life sentence must be imposed.'