TWO bobbies from Nelson who saved a man's life after pulling him from a blazing car have been given awards for their bravery.

Constables Alan Stuart and Karl Anderson dragged the unconscious Shabir Chaudhry from the blazing car, sustaining burns in the process after the accident in October 2004.

At a ceremony in Nelson yesterday, Lancashire's Chief Fire Officer, Peter Holland, awarded a Certificate of Commendation to the two police officers.

The award is usually given to recognise bravery within the fire service, but an exception has been made for the two officers.

Just before 1am on Saturday, October 2, 2004 a car jumped a red light at the junction of Every Street and Carr Road, Nelson and at an estimated speed of 50mph hit the car of 49-year-old Shabir Chaudhry.

The collision sent Mr Chaudhry's car into the air landing on top of a traffic light electrical control box and setting it on fire.

Fire crews said the two bobbies braved the risks posed by the fire and the prospect of electrocution from the control box's live wiring exposed in the crash to pull Mr Chaudhry from the car.

They said there was no doubt that had it not been for the heroic actions of PCs Stuart and Anderson, Mr Chaudhry would have perished in the rapidly-developing inferno.

Mr Holland said: "This was an astonishingly brave thing for these two officers to do and they acted superbly in what was a life or death situation.

"They were aware of the risks they faced from both the burning car and the danger of electrocution and courageously and unhesitatingly they still went in and pulled Mr Chaudhry to safety. It was a fine and noble act."

PC Stuart said: "Within a matter of seconds, the whole of the car was engulfed. It was a case of getting anybody out that we could get out, not knowing how many people were in the vehicle at the time.

"He was unconscious and we initially tried to get the driver's door open, but that was jammed. Eventually we had to drag him out of the passenger-side window."

The commendation ceremony was held at the New Palatine Club, Norfolk Street, Nelson