TWO police officers who saved a woman from a blazing home have been honoured for their bravery and courage at a ceremony in Prestwich.

PC Matthew Litchfield and PC Peter Walsh were presented with the Chief Constable's citation of merit during a special ceremony at Sedgley Park GMP training centre.

The two officers - based in Bolton - were also given a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Parchment after they risked their own lives to lead the woman to safety.

PC Litchfield, aged 24, and PC Walsh, aged 47, were on patrol in Prestolee when they spotted a large crowd outside a house in Alexandra Road in June last year.

A woman was trapped inside and the officers forced their way into the house and up the stairs to rescue her. She made a full recovery.

PC Litchfield said: "We were in the right place at the right time. We would do the same again. We are delighted our work has been recognised but did not expect it."

The John Egerton Trophy, awarded in memory of a 20-year-old officer killed on duty in a Farnworth factory yard in 1982, was presented to Andrew Hallsworth, of Stockport, for his courage and bravery. He pursued a thief trying to break into a car in August last year and was repeatedly stabbed as he attempted to arrest him.

A Lifetime Achievement in Policing Award was given to Insp Terence Jones, of Worsley, who has now retired.

Since 1993, he has worked as a member of GMP's Obscene Publications Unit and arrested the first person in the UK to be convicted of downloading indecent images of children from the internet.

Under his leadership, the team's work has resulted in the arrests of hundreds of people worldwide.

During the ceremony, a Long Service and Good Conduct medal was awarded to PC Philip Monk, who works in Bolton.

And PC Paul Robson and PC David Winstanley were also recognised for saving the life of an injured man following a stabbing at a house in Atherton.

His attacker was given an indefinite sentence at a secure unit.

Chief Constable Michael Todd said: "We are very proud of all them.

"The awards covered all aspects of the spectrum from new officers just starting out to those receiving long-service medals to those who have since retired.

"It is also an opportunity to hear about the bravery of some of our officers , for instance PC Litchfield and PC Walsh who saved the woman from the burning house."