Three officers from Lancashire police were honoured with a bravery award after they ran into a burning building, risking their own lives.

When a property in Huncoat caught fire in April 1979, Sergeant Les Martin, PC John Stephens and PC Michael Kellet showed complete disregard for their own safety and tried to tackle the blaze themselves before firefighters arrived.

The trio extinguished burning carpets and acted with great determination and bravery in the most hazardous conditions.

After hearing that someone was still inside the property they entered the building and carried out a search, however they later learned that no-one was in the house.

The award was presented to the officers in memory of a Bacup police officer who died in a car crash in 1978.

The Roland Cree McGowan Cup was awarded to the brave three at a buffet reception at Bacup Police Station by Mr McGowan's mother, Mrs Barbara McGowan, pictured.

She said: "I am married to a policeman and have a brother and grandad in the force.

"I often worry when they come home late. When Roland became a policeman my thoughts were with him too.

"You are marked men and I would like to think that this cup was not only going to these men, but to you all."