TWO young constables who found themselves face-to-face with a man covered in blood and trying to kill himself have been honoured.

The Cleveland Police probationers had gone to a house in Hartlepool following an emergency call from ambulance staff.

When the officers arrived, they were confronted by a 35-year-old man who was armed with two kitchen knives.

The man had stabbed himself repeatedly in the body and began stabbing himself about his throat.

PCs Lee Busby and Paul Williams overpowered him, and their efforts were rewarded with a police commendation. Nineteen officers and police staff received awards for long service last night.

Eleven officers were presented with commendations for smashing a Middlesbrough drug network.

Four officers received commendations for their investigation into the case of Feston Konzani case, who deliberately infected women with HIV.

PC Tim Glen picked up a commendation for dealing with a fatal road accident on the A19 in January.

Heather Gray, a member of the public from Guisborough, received an award for saving an elderly vulnerable man who was missing from home.