Bravery awards are to be bestowed on police officers who were threatened by a crazed gunman in a Westcliff street.

The four officers and a special constable are to attend a prestigious Police Bravery Awards ceremony in London on Thursday - following a reception at Downing Street with the Prime Minister.

PCs Patrick Lyons, Christopher Abbott, Steven Catton and Mark Beaumont, with special constable Karl Help, all from the Southend division, have been nominated as being among the country's bravest officers in the annual Police Federation event.

The high-profile ceremony at London's Savoy Hotel, involving 53 of the bravest officers in England and Wales, will be attended by Home Secretary Jack Straw.

The officers from Essex are receiving the recognition after an incident which left them face-to-face with a crazed gunman after being called to a disturbance at a house in Westcliff.

PC Lyons and PC Abbott arrived to find the front door open, and could hear shouting and screaming.

A man was struggling with his mother, but suddenly broke free and ran upstairs into a room. He then emerged pointing a gun at the officers.

They pulled the woman from the house and retreated behind parked cars, soon to be joined by PCs Catton and Beaumont and special constable Help, who sealed off the road.

The drama took a dramatic turn when the gunman ran out into the street. However, PC Beaumont ran towards him and seized the gun while PC Abbott arrested him.

The 21-year-old man was taken to a psychiatric hospital, and the weapon he used was discovered to be a replica sub-machine gun.

Chairman of the Essex Police Federation, David Jones, said: "These men displayed real courage and presence of mind in a dangerous situation. This nomination recognises their professionalism and team spirit, and shows the many risks that police officers take on a daily basis."

The Police Bravery Awards were established in 1996 to recognise outstanding acts of courage by police officers who risked their lives or serious injury to uphold the law. Police forces across the country are invited to select their top candidates.

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