Heroic men who dramatically risked their lives in the line of duty have received awards.

Acting Sgt Lee Norris and PC Robert Hebden disarmed a maniac with a handgun and a knife after he stabbed someone in the throat at the Elms pub, in London Road, Leigh.

The officers were threatened with the gun as they arrested the man in Cheltenham Drive, Leigh, in connection with the assault hours before on August 20, 2002.

Cup heroes : Acting Sgt Lee Norris and PC Robert Hebden Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

The brave bobbies wrestled the suspect to the ground, disarmed him of the gun and found a knife after searching him.

Acting Sgt Norris and PC Hebden - who had only been on the beat for three weeks when the drama happened - were awarded the Mitchell Cup for their courage at the Council Chambers, in Southend's Civic Centre.

Acting Sgt Norris, 27, of Southend police, said: "I'm very proud. The man had pointed the gun right in our faces. It happened so quickly we didn't have much of a chance to do anything so we just grabbed him."

PC Hebden, 35, of Leigh station, said: "At the time, it seemed the obvious thing to do. And when I went back to training college I had a great story to tell!

"It's great to be awarded the cup. My family are chuffed to bits."

Certificates were also awarded to lifeboatmen Michael Whistler, 42, and Tony Bonham, 36, both of Southend, for rescuing three people in near storm conditions in the Thames Estuary.

The pair steered their Southend lifeboat in force nine to ten winds to reach the motorboat Badger which was in difficulty one-and-a-half miles east of Southend Pier.

Published Friday, April 25, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo