A BOBBY who tackled a violent burglar and detained him despite being attacked has been voted the bravest cop in the North West.

Constable Ian Lawrence (pictured) was honoured at the tenth annual Police Bravery Awards held in London.

Organised by the Police Federation and sponsored by The Sun newspaper, it was staged at The Dorchester in the presence of the Home Secretary Charles Clarke, and a host of celebrities.

The honour followed a reception at 10 Downing Street where Ian and 58 other nominees from across the country met Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The 36-year-old bobby received the accolade for detaining a burglar in an incident on the canal towpath at Hest Bank.

He was responding to a report of a prowler when he spotted a cyclist fitting the description on the towpath and called for him to stop. But the offender raised a weapon above his head and rode on - forcing Ian to make a grab for him.

He was beaten about the head with an 18-inch wrench in the struggle that followed, but despite concussion, cuts and blood running down the side of his face, Ian arrested the assailant and prevented him attacking a member of the public.

Ian recalls: "I knew I was in trouble. I just had to hang on until other officers arrived. He was intent on causing me harm. If I'd have let go, who knows what would have happened?"

Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, says: "PC Lawrence deserves the highest praise. His determination to detain a violent offender despite being bruised, battered and concussed shows immense courage.

"He is a credit to the police service. We hope this award goes some way towards recognising his bravery"