POLICE who were doused in lighter fuel by a suicidal man as they saved him from leaping from a bridge are to receive bravery awards.

The Royal Humane Society yesterday announced it is to honour six Durham Constabulary officers for their courage in saving the man's life.

The drama unfolded on a Saturday in April at Hownsgill Viaduct, near Consett, a suicide blackspot known locally as Gill Bridge.

Officers were called by off-duty constable Collette Smith, who had seen a man preparing to jump from the Victorian bridge which towers 80ft above a disused railway line. PC Smith crouched beside the 38-year-old as she tried to convince him to move back from the parapet, taking hold of his jacket.

She was joined by Sergeant Karen Naunton and PC Scott Allan, who grabbed the man's clothing and clung on as he made a determined effort to hurl himself over the edge.

Three other officers, PC Louis Morrisroe, PC Graham Colclough and PC Steve Clark, then leant over the railings and hauled the man to safety.

During the struggle, the man threw lighter fuel in the faces of two officers and then doused himself, brandishing a lighter and threatening to set himself and his rescuers on fire.

The six officers, who have already been awarded a chief constable's commendation, were yesterday praised by Major General David Pennefather, secretary of the Royal Humane Society. He said: "This was a horrific incident. Two officers were in serious danger of being pulled to their deaths; two others had lighter fuel thrown in their faces."

The man was detained under the Mental Health Act.