TWO policemen have been praised for saving a woman's life by dragging her from a smoke-filled flat.

PCs Michael Woolston and Richard Laviolette, based at Darlington police station, carried out the rescue on Sunday night after a neighbour raised the alarm.

The officers kicked in the door of the first-floor flat in Branksome Lodge after arriving before firefighters.

"The flat was filled with thick smoke. We searched around and found the woman unconscious on the settee," said PC Woolston, 31.

"I picked her up and put her outside. My colleague went into the kitchen where the oven was and turned everything off.

"We made sure the woman was breathing and put a couple of blankets over her. She came round more or less as the ambulance was pulling up."

The 48-year-old woman, who has not been named, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where she was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and later released.

The fire, which caused extensive damage to the flat, is thought to have been caused by toast being left under a grill.

Acting Sergeant Simon Walker said the officers had acted in a courageous and professional manner.

"They prevented what could potentially have been a fatal fire," he said.