POLICE officers were recognised for their bravery in the line of duty at an awards ceremony in Durham last night.

PCs Dave Sampson and Glen Henderson, both 32, were honoured for attempting to save a suicide victim.

In September, the bobbies answered a 999 call to a house in George Street, Bowburn, where they found a 29-year-old man hanging from a dog chain from a loft hatch, at the top of the stairs. He had been discovered by his girlfriend who raised the alarm.

Despite the officers managing to revive the man, he died several days later in Durham's Dryburn Hospital.

Inspector Steve Glass said: "PC Sampson and PC Henderson acted promptly and professionally in an attempt to save the man's life.

"Although he died, their actions were in the best traditions of Durham Constabulary and gave him the best possible chance of survival."

The officers were presented with framed St John Ambulance letters of appreciation by the Mayor of Durham, Councillor George Wharton, at a ceremony in the town hall.

PC Sampson and PC Peter Tate, 26, also received awards from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.

The commendations were given for their efforts in rescuing a 37-year-old woman from a burning Peugeot 309 in Heaviside Place, Gilesgate, Durham, last April.

The mayor also presented chief constable's commendations to seven officers whose work led to prison sentences for eight men and women involved in the supply on heroin in the Bowburn area.

Operation Ankara was the result of weeks of observations and intelligence gathering carried out by Detective Sergeant Eric Malkin, Detective Constable John Darwin, PC Sheila Dodds, Detective Constable Paul Halpin, Detective Constable Steve Lambert, Detective Constable Stuart Maughan, and Detective Constable John Stadius.