BRAVERY awards have been presented to two men, including a police officer, for their actions in the face of danger.

PC Steve Rich, who is based at Darlington's Cockerton police station, received an award from the Royal Humane Society.

At a ceremony yesterday, in Darlington, he was joined by Derek Tennant, who received an award from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.

PC Rich, 33, had been climbing in the Lake District in November last year when a woman slipped on ice and fell 25ft, landing on a rock ledge only 2ft wide, and with a drop of 30ft below her.

He climbed down to herand administered first aid, wrapping the woman in a survival blanket and waiting with her until a helicopter lifted them to safety an hour later.

Mr Tennant, 54, rescued a pensioner from a blaze in Lanethorpe Crescent, Darlington, in March.

The 77-year-old woman, a neighbour of Mr Tennant, had collapsed on the floor of her smoke-filled bedroom when he burst into the house and came to her aid, picking her up and carrying her to safety.