Military personnel, ambulances and police in Alderholt as road is cordoned off

A main road through Alderholt is closed as officials recover a vehicle thought to belong to a hero policeman who lives in the village.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who works for Wiltshire Police, was rushed to hospital after trying to help Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, 33. Mr Skripal and Ms Skripal were found collapsed near a shopping centre in Salisbury after a nerve agent attack.

DS Bailey, 38, tried to resuscitate Mr Skripal, 66. The officer was initially in intensive care. He is now conscious and talking.

He lives with wife Sarah, who is said to be "distraught".

It also emerged that the car driven by Mr Skripal was so contaminated with the Novichok nerve agent that a fleet of other vehicles in Dorset are to be examined.

Police are investigating the possibility that Mr Skripal and Ms Skripal were poisoned in their maroon BMW.

The police investigation, Operation Lime, crossed into Dorset on Wednesday as the truck that towed away the Skripals' car from the upper floor of a Sainsbury's car park was recovered from Gillingham.

And today, the focus of the investigation turned to Alderholt.

Birchwood Drive has been cordoned off for much of the day while emergency services and the armed forces worked at the scene.

Among the vehicles called to the village are two Army low loaders and a crane.

One of the low loaders was seen reversing into Tudor Close.

At around 2.15pm, one of the trucks drove away from Tudor Close with a vehicle on it.

The vehicle was covered by sheeting.

A spokesperson from the Met Police said: "The military is assisting police to remove a number of vehicles and items from areas of Dorset following the incident in Salisbury.

"The public should not be alarmed and the public health advice remains the same.

"The military has the expertise and capability to respond to a range of contingencies.

"The Ministry of Defence regularly assists the emergency services and local authorities in the UK.

"Military assistance will continue as necessary during this investigation."

MP Simon Hoare, who represents North Dorset, is visiting residents in both Gillingham and Alderholt today. He urged residents with concerns to get in touch.

"There are a few people in hazchem suits, but many officials, including police officers, are walking around in their normal attire," he said.

"These agencies are doing an absolutely fantastic job."

Mr Hoare also praised the actions of DS Bailey.

"He is a constituent of mine, and he lives in Alderholt," the MP said. "He is, by all accounts, a very brave man.

"Residents have asked after him, and many have told me what a nice person he is.

"Of course, my hopes and prayers are for him to make a full and speedy recovery."

The MP has also been in correspondence with Prime Minister Theresa May after asking for updates at the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Birchwood Drive is cordoned off from the junction with Green Drive to the junction with Fern Close. Residents were visited by police on Wednesday night to warn them of the closure.

Bollards were also placed along the stretch that evening. Police officers are manning both ends of the road closure, as well as a number of side paths and roads off Birchwood Drive.