TWO officers who risked their lives to save a man from drowning have been honoured.

North Yorkshire PC Martin Usher and Ministry of Defence Constable Russ Howarth have been presented with Royal Humane Society awards for their bravery during the incident in Richmond.

They were among officers who were given awards at a ceremony in South Otterington Church, near Northallerton, yesterday.

The two officers went to the River Swale after a man was seen in the water up to his waist.

When they arrived, he was only feet from the most dangerous section, where he could have been swept under.

Using ropes, PC Usher waded out to the man, assisted by Constable Howarth, and stood in front of him to prevent him going any further.

The man stumbled, but PC Usher managed to grab him as the rope snapped, and he dragged himself and the man back to the bank, helped by Constable Howarth.

A commendation went to Northallerton's PC David Atkinson for his arrest of a man for racially abusing a member of the public, during which he was subjected to a vicious and sustained assault.

PC Atkinson managed to hold on to the man in Northallerton despite being assaulted, including being bitten three times, while he radioed for help.

Sergeant Paul Delaney, PC Neale Graham and civilian Jane Barker were commended for their actions in Whitby to calm a disturbed and suicidal man armed with a knife.

Commended for their bravery were Sgt Phillip Mincher, PCs Karen Rawnsley, Karl Simpson, Stuart Davies, Cheryl Moore, Tony Wadsworth and Amanda Butler, together with civilian Darren Calvert.

They put themselves at risk to protect the public after a man stole an 18-tonne digger, near Selby.

Service and conduct medals were presented to Detective Inspector Michael Moore, Sgt Jeremy Wilkinson, Sgt David Allen, Sgt Stephen Scott, Sgt Bryan Redshaw, PC Andrew Ruston, PC Sam Grainger, PC David Stokes, PC Jerry Parkin and Peter Metcalfe.