TWO police heroes who risked their lives tackling gunmen have been honoured for their bravery.

Sergeant Paul Graham has been awarded the Chief Constable's Commendation for his outstanding courage when he confronted and disarmed a man who had threatened to take his own family hostage and PC Craig Denton has received the Chief Constable's Citation of Merit for his action in apprehending a violent armed robber.

A police awards ceremony heard that on Sunday, January 6, 2003, a man who claimed he had a gun contacted police and told them he was holding his wife and children captive at a house in Golborne.

Sergeant Graham, who was on patrolling alone in the area drove his unmarked vehicle past the address and saw a woman run out of the front door, followed by a man brandishing a black handgun.

The woman appeared extremely distressed, and fearing for her safety, Sergeant Graham got out of his vehicle and approached the man, who was waving the weapon around. To protect the woman, Sergeant Graham placed himself in front of her and asked the man to surrender his weapon. He refused to put it down, raised the gun towards the officer and threatened to shoot him.

Despite the risk to his own safety, Sergeant Graham tackled the man to the ground and a violent struggle took place, during which the offender broke free and ran back into the house. Sergeant Graham ran after him and tackled him again. Following a further struggle he disarmed and detained him.

The woman and her family were unharmed and on further examination, the weapon was discovered to be a ball bearing gun.

On August 4 2003, the offender appeared before Bolton Crown Court, and after pleading guilty of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear he was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment.

The citation for PC Denton said at 7pm on December 23, 2003, a youth entered a convenience store in Lowton brandishing a loaded handgun and demanding money from the till. Fearing for her safety, the shop assistant handed over £200 and after pushing her into the back of the shop, the offender made his getaway.

PC Denton arrived and after being given a description searched the area in his patrol car, accompanied by a second witness. As they drove along Stonecross Lane, the witness pointed out a youth at the side of the road who he recognised as the offender.

Despite the belief that the youth was armed, PC Denton got out of the car and ordered him to raise his arms above his head, searched him, and removed a handgun from his back pocket. He struggled violently and PC Denton wrestled him to the ground, handcuffed and detained him until other patrols arrived.

The firearm was identified as a ball bearing gun, which was later made safe by the Armed Response Team.

On November 1 last year the offender appeared before Bolton Crown Court charged with robbery and was sentenced to five years in a young offenders' institute.