A HERO police officer who was commended for his bravery has been sacked after he was caught drink-driving.

Darwen policeman Paul Jackson, 29, was told he must hand in his notice at an internal police disciplinary hearing making him the second East Lancashire officer in a week who has been required to resign for drink driving.

The father-of-four was told by a panel of senior officers at police headquarters at Hutton that he could not keep his job just a day after PC Lindsay Plaiter was also required to resign.

In 2002 PC Jackson was awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Award for good police work after tackling a suicidal man brandishing a razor blade.

The man, in his early 20s, slashed his wrist with the razor and tried to bite the officer, who was forced to wrestle him to be able to stem the flow of blood.

Paramedics called to the scene said he would have died without the intervention and Jackson was praised for his bravery and courage by senior police officers.

A police spokesman today said: "We can confirm that PC Jackson has been required to resign from the force following a disciplinary hearing."

PC Jackson had pleaded guilty at Preston Magistrates' Court to the offence, which happened on Sunday, October 2.

He was disqualified from driving for 16 months, but was told it may be cut to 12 months if he completed a drink-driving rehabilitation programme.

He was also fined £250 and ordered to pay costs of £100 after magistrates heard he had a reading of 59mg of alcohol in his breath. The limit is 35.

Defence solicitor Peter Turner said his behaviour would result in further problems for him and his family.

He said: "At the age of 29 he has the possibility of getting a career somewhere else but this will probably be highly dependent on the return of his driving licence. This family is going to be in a desperate financial situation very quickly indeed."

Jackson, of Milking Lane, Lower Darwen, has children, aged 21 months, six, eight and nine, and his wife does not currently work.

Mr Turner also said that Jackson had debts of £18,000 on credit cards and a £120,000 mortgage.