NORTH-EAST mine clearing expert David Alderson was presented with a bravery award yesterday after losing a leg trying to rescue a shepherd from an unmarked minefield in Lebanon.

Mr Alderson, from Saltburn, east Cleveland, and colleagues Damir Paradzik, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Nabil Hammoud, from Teir Diba, were presented with bronze medals by Princess Alexandra on behalf of the Royal Humane Society.

The men were seriously injured by two landmines in their efforts to help the shepherd, who eventually escaped unharmed.

Mr Alderson and Mr Paradzik had their lower legs amputated.

The men were working for protective security services provider ArmorGroups mine action division, clearing unexploded ordnance and cluster bombs in south Lebanon.

The Royal Humane Society was founded in London in 1774. The bronze medal is awarded to people who have put their lives at great risk to save or attempt to save someone else.

Dave Seaton, ArmorGroups chief executive officer, said: "We are very proud of the awards made to Dave, Damir and Nabil which highlight their selfless action in support of a local farmer.

"They and our other mine action employees carry out dangerous and highly skilled tasks every day to allow local communities to repopulate their homes and restart their economy safely and confidently. We wish them well in their further recovery and look forward to them returning to work with us soon."