A QUICK-thinking policeman who saved a woman's life has been praised by a first aid group.

Dog-handler PC Daryl Edmunds, 31, is to be presented with a St John Ambulance award after he dragged a woman from her car after she had taken an overdose and got her to hospital.

PC Edmunds had been patrolling the Batts area of Bishop Auckland in May when he saw a woman slumped unconscious in the driver's seat of a car parked near Bishop Auckland rugby ground.

When he saw notes left on the passenger seat which said the 42-year-old had intended to take her life, he forced his way into the car and dragged her out.

He then placed her in the recovery position and called for an ambulance.

The woman, from Evenwood, had taken a large quantity of Diazepam tablets which would have killed her if she had not received treatment in time.

Medics at Bishop Auckland General Hospital said the dog handler's quick thinking had undoubtedly saved her life.