TWO Durham police officers are to be honoured for their bravery with national awards.

PCs Rhoda Malins and Paul Faulkner were involved in a covert car operation in Crook, County Durham, when they discovered a house fire.

They forced their way through thick, black smoke and entered the building through an insecure door, where they found a 46-year-old man semi-conscious in the kitchen.

The pair dragged him through the flames to safety before going back into the house to rescue his dog. Both the occupant and his pet made a full recovery.

PCs Malins and Faulkner have received a chief constable's commendation, and were nominated by the Durham branch of the Police Federation for this year's national Police Bravery Awards.

They will be among 63 of the bravest officers in England and Wales to be honoured at the awards, being run in conjunction with The Sun newspaper, in London, on Tuesday.

The officers will attend a reception with Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street, before receiving their awards from Cherie Blair and Home Secretary David Blunkett at The Dorchester.

Dave Robinson, secretary of the Durham branch of the Police Federation, said: "The officers acted very courageously and promptly and in the best traditions of the police service. They put their lives at risk to save another and their great courage, presence of mind and initiative undoubtedly averted a potentially tragic situation.

. . . And pat on back for three more officers

THREE officers from Gateshead will also be honoured.

Constables Graeme Bird, Trevor Kilbey and Brian Simpson of Gateshead police have been nominated for the Police Federation bravery awards .

The trio put their lives at risk to drag an unconscious man from a smoke-filled house in the early hours of the morning one day last September.

At first they were forced back by noxious fumes and heat but could still hear faint noises from the living room. PCs Bird and Kilbey filled their lungs with air, dropped to the ground, and crawled in while holding each other.

Unable to see they found the 50-year-old man but his body became trapped between a table and settee as they attempted to pull him away and they were once again forced out.

After catching their breath they entered again this time helped by first year probationer PC Simpson. The three, working together, were able to release the man and drag him to safety.

All three received medical attention and two were violently sick. The fire was caused by paint stripper which had caught alight.