A POLICE officer has been hailed a hero after putting himself at risk to help to a woman who fell down a mountain.

The actions of PC Steve Rich have earned him an award from the Royal Humane Society.

He will be presented with the award at a ceremony in the next few weeks, when he will be joined by fellow North-East hero David Tennant.

Mr Tennant, of Darlington, is to receive an award from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire after rescuing a pensioner from her blazing home.

PC Rich, 33, was climbing in the Lake District with a colleague last November when a woman slipped on ice and fell 25ft.

She landed on a shelf of rock only 2ft wide, with a 30ft drop below her.

The officer, who is based at Cockerton police office in Darlington, climbed down the gully, administered first aid and wrapped the woman in a survival blanket.

He stayed with her for about an hour until a helicopter arrived and lifted them both to safety.

PC Rich said: "The intense cold was really getting to both of us, and I wouldn't have liked to have had to hang on any longer.

"It was a huge relief when the helicopter arrived.

"I was very surprised when I heard about the award. It's something I've never had before, but hopefully something I'll never see again."

Mr Tennant, 54, earned his award for running to his neighbour's aid after a fire broke out in Lanethorpe Crescent, Darlington, in March.

He entered the house and found the 77-year-old woman collapsed on the floor of her smoke-filled bedroom.

He picked her up and carried her downstairs and out to safety.

Both she and her 82-year-old husband, who was sleeping downstairs, were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but were released after treatment.

Superintendent Philip Aspey, of Darlington police, said: "Mr Tennant displayed great courage and acted with disregard for his own safety.

"If he had not acted so swiftly, his neighbour would undoubtedly have suffered serious or even fatal injuries.