TWO police officers who confronted a gang of armed robbers are to receive commendations for bravery from Pauline Clare, Lancashire's Chief Constable.

PC Christopher Saville, 31, from Barrow, and PC Glen Smith, 26, from Fulwood, will be presented with their awards at police HQ next Wednesday.

The awards ceremony was postponed due to bad weather.

The two officers, who are both stationed at Accrington, helped to arrest three men just minutes before a planned armed robbery.

The trio were later sentenced at Burnley Crown Court to a total of 23 years in prison after they were convicted of conspiracy to rob and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Four other police officers are to get bravery awards including 29-year-old PC Sean Cunningham, from Burnley.

And 37-year-old Burnley PC Jim Haydock, 37, from Barnoldswick, is named the Lancashire force's dog handler of the year.

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