TWO police officers have been commended for their bravery after tackling a suicidal man brandishing a razor blade.

The man, in his early 20s, slashed his wrist with the razor and paramedics called to the scene said he could have died without the intervention.

Darwen-based PC Paul Jackson, 26, and PC Roger Morris, 30, have been awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Award for good police work.

Chief Inspector Tracie O'Gara, who presented the awards, said: "I am very proud of our officers.

"It sums it up what the paramedic said, their actions have saved this man's life.

"Our officers are on the front line and it is nice to see them being rewarded for their acts of courage."

Around midday on Saturday. July 13 last year, PC Jackson was on uniformed foot patrol in Darwen town centre when a member of the public told him there was a drunken man in the bus station.

The man had a cut cheek and as PC Jackson turned away he slashed his wrist with a razor blade.

PC Jackson radioed for an ambulance then tried to stem the blood flow, using the man's shirt, but he pulled away and tried to bite the officer.

PC Roger Morris, who heard PC Jackson's calls for an ambulance, rushed to the scene and saw PC Jackson struggling with the man, who was becoming increasingly aggressive.

PC Morris, who lives in the Leyland area, said: "The main thing was to back my colleague up. In this situation you don't know what you'll be faced with but if he shouts for help, you know it's serious."

Together the officers continuously spoke to the man and eventually calmed him down, although he attempted to break free again.

The man was losing a large amount of blood and was eventually taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary in a police van because of his violent conduct.

He was treated for a 3in laceration to his wrist and later released from the hospital.

Paramedics said that without treatment he might have died.

PC Jackson said: "I just went into auto-pilot and it was all a blur at the time.

"For me, it wasn't anything special but it is nice to get this recognition."

In addition to their awards both PCs were presented with photo frames by the Mayor of Blackburn, Coun Tony Humphrys.