TWO police officers have told how they dashed to the aid of injured Bury PC David Lomas after he was shot by a gun-toting resident.

Sergeant Paul Leigh, a 35-year-old father-of-two from Ramsbottom, and PC Lukmaan Mulla, based in Rossendale, relived their 30-minute ordeal when they were in the line of fire from householder Steven Hensby.

The 54-year-old shot PC Lomas in the chest and threw a petrol bomb as officers tried to arrest him at his home in Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, for alleged harassment.

It sparked an 18-hour armed siege before police found the suspect and his dog dead from gunshot wounds in an upstairs bedroom.

PC Mulla scrambled over a hedge to reach PC Lomas, while Sgt Leigh stayed with him until armed police arrived.

PC Lomas, who is the community beat manager for Haslingden , and lives in the Redvales area of Bury, has since been discharged from Royal Preston Hospital.

Sgt Leigh said: "Looking back, it seemed to last forever.

"When I worked in London I was the first on the scene of another shooting, not involving a policeman. The sounds, like the rattling in the chest, came back to me.

"I wasn't sure if wed make it out, especially when he threw a petrol bomb at the shed near to where we were trying to take cover."

PC Mulla, who lives in Preston, said: "It is just a relief PC Lomas is OK. I've worked with him ever since I came into the police and I think what I did was just instinct.

"We had gone to the house and Dave had said he'd go to the door by himself so it didn't seem so oppressive.

"We went up to the door and we heard raised voices.

"When he wouldn't open the door, we forced the door open. It took a couple of goes and at one point he leaned out of the window and said 'You should have had your Weetabix'.

"When we were in, we shut his dog in one room then looked upstairs. That's when he shot. I've never been in that situation before."

PC Mulla went back to his patrol car to get a first aid kit for PC Lomas, who was starting to drift in and out of consciousness.

Chief Superintendent Jerry Graham, of Pennine Division, said: "I have spoken to PC Lomas and he has said that he did not think he would have made it without the help of the two officers.

"They kept talking to him until they could get out.

"Their actions were very brave and in the finest traditions of the police but they are reluctant heroes."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said it was likely the pair would be nominated for bravery awards.