Four police officers are to be honoured for their repeated efforts to save the life of an elderly man who collapsed in the street.

Sergeant Dave Kirton, PCs Mark Jagodinski, Stuart Dawson and Kevin Wilson of Darlington police are to receive letters of appreciation from St John Ambulance in recognition of their actions earlier this year.

The officers were in a police van in Darlington town centre when they were flagged down by a passer-by on Friday June 21.

They were shown to an 81-year-old man who had collapsed in Tubwell Row.

Sgt Kirton, 37, started chest compressions while PC Jagodinski, 28, and PC Dawson, 33, started to give the kiss of life even though there was no protective mouth shield available.

While the other officers were helping the Middlesbrough pensioner, PC Wilson, 27, took the man's son to one side to comfort him.

When paramedics arrived they were able to detect a weak pulse in the man but sadly his condition deteriorated and he died in hospital later that evening.

Chief Inspector Barry Knevitt said: "The officers demonstrated a professional and prompt response and did everything they could.

"Sadly, their initial, successful attempts to revive the victim they could not in the end prevent his death." The officers will receive their framed letters of appreciation at a special ceremony.