A policeman has been voted the bravest officer in the region.

PC Keith Stonley, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, took the title at the national awards in London, after rescuing a suicidal man who threatened to jump off a bridge.

The officer, who works for the West Yorkshire force, climbed on to the outside of the bridge, balancing on a 2in-wide ledge to stop the man from jumping.

At the awards ceremony at the Savoy Hotel, he was chosen over other officers from round the North-East to win the regional accolade.

PC Stonley said: "I put my hands on either side of him. I had my gloves on and it was in the middle of the night, so I just tried to keep my grip on the wall.

"I had to get my feet wedged in the side and push him towards the railings.

"I hung on to him as hard as I could for dear life because it was either him or me. I thought there was no way I was going to go.

"I held on to him and eventually my colleagues came and pulled him over the railings. I have to admit it was a bit iffy as one point."

He said he was humbled and honoured by the award.