HERO policemen grabbed at a desperate woman's arms as she looked set to tumble off a motorway bridge on to the M6.

The brave pair foiled the 18-year-old's suicide bid and snatched her to safety after calmly chatting to her, trying to get her to stand away from the edge of the bridge.

But she let go of the railings - and Inspector Mike McGarry and PC Alex Ladds (pictured) grabbed her and dragged her off the bridge, at Cottage Lane, over the M6 northbound.

The un-named woman, who lives in Hoghton, is now recovering in Chorley hospital. Police say she has a history of mental illness.

Police were called to the scene at about 2.40pm on Monday when the woman was spotted on the parapet, with her back to railings, clinging on by one hand.

Two women who were passing by had tried to coax her back over the fence before police arrived.

Inspector McGarry, of Leyland Police, said: "The girl was on the wrong side of the fence when we arrived, with her back to the railings and facing the motorway.

"Two ladies nearby were trying to speak to her but she wouldn't answer. Myself and PC Alex Ladds approached the girl on her blind side and spoke to her too, but she didn't reply.

"She let go of the railings and was going to jump, but fortunately we managed to get hold of her.

"Traffic was still flowing on the motorway and we asked for the northbound carriageway to be shut off, but it was over before that happened.

"She was in a very confused state. It goes through your mind that you've only got one chance in this type of situation and I suppose we were lucky this time."

He added: "We believe the girl has a history of psychiatric problems, but someone who saw her the night before said she was acting perfectly normally."

A spokeswoman for Chorley Hospital confirmed: "An 18-year-old patient has been admitted and she is now in a satisfactory condition."

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