TWO police officers who saved a family from their blazing home have been presented with bravery awards.

PCs Claudio Fardella and Dave Dutton were recognised for their actions by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society.

They were on patrol in Surrey Road, Blackburn, in the early hours of the morning when they saw smoke coming from a house and heard the cries of a woman.

The fire service had been called but were yet to arrive. The officers went into the house and fought their way through dense smoke to climb the stairs.

They helped the woman, her one-year-old baby and five-year-old child out of the house and then went back to rescue the woman's brother who had been asleep in the living room.

PC Dutton said it was the woman's screams which made them feel they had no option but to go into the house.

He said he couldn't see anything because the smoke was so thick but his main concern was to get the family out.

He brought out the mother on his back and also carried out her baby.

Sub-officer Dave Hilliard from Blackburn Fire Station said when they arrived at the scene they saw a man on the floor suffering from smoke inhalation and the two police officers were "gasping for breath".

He said:"They did an excellent job and acted bravely but put themselves in danger. If the smoke had been from a foam filled settee they could have ended up as casualties themselves."

The fire was thought to have started after a chip pan was left on the cooker and smoke detectors alerted the family to the blaze.

Steve Ashley of Blackburn police said the detectors had saved the family's lives. He said: "The officers were very brave and we are very pleased with them. The family could have died if they hadn't been there."

The family and their rescuers were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary and treated for smoke inhalation.

The Chief Constable of Lancashire Police, Pauline Clare commended both officers for their actions.

She said: "I am most impressed by the extreme courage shown by these officers when, without thought for their personal safety, they entered a burning house to rescue a woman and two young children."

PCs Fardella and Dutton were presented with their certificates by the Mayor of Blackburn and Darwen, CounJohn Williams.

PC Dutton said: "I was very pleased to get the award -- to get a Chief Constables's commendation is unique enough - but at the end of the day it was just in the course of duty.

"I have worked in the force for seven years and this is the first award I have had for bravery - we were just in the right place at the right time."

Chief Supt John Thompson, Divisional Commander of Eastern Division, said: "These officers risked their own lives to save others and it is only right that their actions be rewarded and recognised. Both are a tremendous asset to the police force and a credit to Eastern Division."