THREE police officers who risked their lives to tackle a disturbed man trying to set light to himself have been commended for their bravery.

The trio confronted the extremely agitated man in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where he sprayed petrol over himself, the officers and their car and threatened to set all ablaze with a lighter.

After a tense 20 minutes, Sergeant Roy Jakins dived at the man and managed to hang on, despite having petrol in his eyes.

With fuel everywhere, the man managed to ignite his lighter, but other officers with fire extinguishers dashed in and were able to put out the flames.

Sgt Jakins, Traffic Sgt Dave Sutcliffe and Sgt Andrew Lunt were all presented with the Chief Constable's Commendation at a ceremony at police headquarters at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton.

Also commended was PC Mark Butcher for the calm and professional manner in which he saved a would-be suicide from leaping off a ledge 90ft above the River Esk, at Whitby.

Two Northallerton officers, Sgt Steve Snodgrass and PC Peter King, were commended for a complex investigation which led to the conviction of four local youths for conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

Certificates of appreciation went to Karen Hill and Jean Wilson, from Eaglescliffe, Teesside, who were on a family outing to Northallerton when one of their party had her purse stolen.

The pair pursued the female thief to a pub, but had to back down when the thief's boy-friend threatened them. They later saw the thief and her boyfriend again in a shop and went in to make a citizen's arrest, suffering slight injuries in the struggle.

Another civilian, Simon Hope, from Great Sankey, near Warrington, was presented with a Royal Humane Society Award for saving the life of a man who had jumped into the River Ouse, at York.

Long service and good conduct medals were presented to: PC William Broadhead, Detective Constable David Clark, PC Martyn Davies, Traffic Constbale Martin Hemenway, TC Ian Jefferson, Det Sgt Kevin Ross, Sgt Stephen McLoughlin, Sgt Neil Ingham, Insp David Coutts, Det Insp Stephen Palmer and Chief Insp Gary Clarke.

Support staff long service certificates went to Sandra Dunn and Carl Yeates, who work at force headquarters.