A police officer last night described his fears for a man he rescued from an icy beck.

Sergeant Robert Bowles was speaking for the first time of the moment he jumped into Cod Beck, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

The officer plunged into the water twice, keeping the unconscious man's head above the water for 20 minutes to prevent him from drowning.

The drama began at 1am last Friday, as police officers responded to reports of moaning sounds close to the beck.

Sgt Bowles and PC Sarah Jobe saw the man, who is from Wales but works locally, close to the edge of the beck and in trouble.

Sgt Bowles said: "I immediately jumped in to see what his status was.

"He was unconscious and the beck bank was very, very steep and there was lots of frost on the ground and it was very icy.

"I was not able to get him out so I clambered out, and only just managed it, and rang for an ambulance crew.

"I saw his face going under the water and I jumped back in and held his head above the water.

"He was quite lucky. When I jumped in the second time I was convinced he was not going to make it.

"It's just very gratifying to know that he has made it and is going to be all right."

Sgt Bowles and fellow officers used leg restraints to form a chain which they fastened to the man.

He was pulled out and taken to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, where he recovered consciousness.

North Yorkshire area commander, Sue Day, has since telephoned Sgt Bowles to congratulate him on the rescue.

Police are still trying to find out how the rescued man came to be in the beck.

They believe a separate incident, in the Waterside area close to Nursery Gardens, may be linked.

A couple were reported arguing at about midnight last Friday, and the man involved is thought to be the person pulled from the beck.

The rescued man is aged 30, with dark hair and was wearing a distinctive navy blue top, with white stripes.

The woman seen arguing with him was in her late 30s, about 5ft4in and with light-coloured hair.

Police are not treating the incident as suspicious, but are keen to talk to the woman seen arguing in Waterside.

Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked to call police on 0845-60-60-247.