TWO policemen who saved a suicidal man’s life on Pendle Hill have been hailed as heroes.

PCs Paul Spooner and Paul Travis have been given commendations for going above and beyond the call of duty for their quick-thinking actions in dealing with the 50-year-old Blackburn man.

They used a fire extinguisher to put out flames seconds after he had doused himself in petrol and ignited it with a cigarette lighter on April 28.

At a special awards ceremony at Blackburn Police Station yesterday, the pair were recognised by Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood.

Chief Inspector Kevin Evans said: “Both officers showed tremendous bravery and courage.

“Their quick-thinking and swift actions undoubtedly helped to save the man’s life and I am extremely proud that they have received this award.”

John O’Reilly, chairman of the Lancashire branch of the Police Federation, said: "Unfortunately, this is typical of the type of policing we have to do today.

"Police officers are putting themselves at risk and in the face of danger every day.

"We are very proud of the two officers and this kind of dedication in carrying out duties indicates what makes the office of constable so special.

"I am very pleased they have got this award and hope they get further recognition in the future."

The officers had launched an East Lancashire-wide search after a suicide note was found at the man’s Blackburn home earlier in the day.

The pair, acting on information that he frequently visited the beauty spot, tracked him down to a lay-by off Clitheroe Road, near Sabden, on the Nick o' Pendle.

The man got out of his Citroen van holding a five-litre fuel can above his head, warning the officers to stay back.

He then set himself on fire, but was ablaze for less than 10 seconds as PC Spooner grabbed a fire extinguisher from his patrol car and put out the fire.

Speaking at the time, PC Spooner said: “His entire upper body and head were on fire.

"I just ran up to him with the fire extinguisher and put him out as quickly as I could but we then had to restrain him until the ambulance arrived.

"An ambulance had already been called and we are lucky that he only suffered minor injuries, including injuries to his airway.

"Everything happened within just a couple of minutes.”

Other commendations

Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood handed out 22 commendations to those who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.

They included:

* Communications operators Sarah Watson and Collete Rowe, who saved the lives of two suicidal callers. Sarah persuaded a man to reveal his whereabouts so officers could find him, and Collete spent two hours on the phone to a woman in February before she was brought to safety.

* PC Peter Tapp who caught a bogus Cancer Research collector red handed. Adam Nield, 18, from Audley Range, Blackburn, preyed on elderly and vulnerable people, asking them to sponsor him to run 10 kilometres. He was given a nine month supervision order and 40 hours of unpaid work.

* PC Simon Grounds, 24, who helped deliver a baby in the car park of the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

* Police Inspector Claire Cooper who battled serious illness to manage over 70 staff in the communications room at Greenbank Police Station in Blackburn.

* Darwen officers PCs Andy Maltman and Simon Harwood who have worked to make Darwen town centre a safer place by introducing measures to tackle drug and alcohol related crime.

* DI Mark Vaughton, DC Steve Munro and DC Tracey McMurdo of Accrington CID who investigated two armed robberies at the Halifax in Longridge and Marsden’s jewellers in Clitheroe. Two suspects were later jailed for a total of 13 years.

* DS Nigel Watson, DC Will Biggar and DC Phil Bennett who investigated a robbery on a Group 4 security van at a Post Office in Whalley Road, Simonstone. Two thieves were jailed for over 13 years.

Ch Supt Eastwood said: “The professionalism and commitment they display each day is worthy of recognition as they continue to show tremendous courage.”