THREE police officers who showed "immense courage" in restraining a gunman are in line for a national bravery award.

PCs Julian Brassington, Matthew Leigh and David Bower, from the armed response unit based at Accrington, have been nominated for a Police Bravery Award.

Last year, they won Lancashire Constabulary's William Garnett Cup after the incident in Clement Street, Accrington, on July 11, 1999.

The PCs swooped on the gunman at his home after he brandished a pistol on the M6. PC Leigh stopped the man for a stop check and found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.

He grabbed it and forced it away from him. PC Bower then disarmed the man and PCs Leigh and Brassington handcuffed the man after a brief struggle. The gun was later found to be a replica, but the PCs were not to know.

The awards are handed over annually across the country by the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers.

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation, said: "These officers deserve the highest praise for their immense courage in what they and others believed was a real, life-threatening situation.

"Their fearless actions in a difficult situation are testimony to the many risks that police officers take to serve the public on a daily basis."

The gunman was later found guilty of affray at Bradford Crown Court and received 120 hours community service.

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