A GOOD Samaritan and a police officer who helped a young man facing a mental health crisis on a motorway bridge have been commended by constabulary chiefs.

Last March Paul Beilby, was on his way to work when he came across a young man, Cameron Howard, stood on the wrong side of a motorway bridge in Burnley.

The father-of-two, from Padiham, stopped his van and approached the young man, and after talking to him for a short while was able to help him to a place of safety.

Det Con Leanne Passmore, a detective on her way to work that day, was passing and also intervened. She had just joined the police's early intervention team.

Cameron and Paul have since stayed in touch and, with the help of Leanne, Cameron has been referred to outside agencies for further help.

Paul said then: "I would never have been able to go by without giving it all I had to save his life."

Paul and Leanne have now been given bravery commendations by Lancashire Chief Constable Chris Rowley and Mark Winstanley, divisional commander, in a ceremony at police headquarters.

Detectives who worked on the case of a child sex groomer have also been commended.

Det Cons Tom Dawson and Treena Peel were passed intelligence from colleagues in West Yorkshire about a man suspected of grooming young boys.

The pair employed experts in digital analysis and 11 further victims of child online abuse were discovered and offered help with safeguarding, through their parents.

Months later the detectives saw convicted paedophile Joseph Sweeney, 40, from Burnley, being labelled a "manipulative predator" as he was jailed for more than eight years for his offending.

Other officers, including neighbourhood PCSOs such as Ros McInulty from Darwen and domestic violence safeguarding and online sex abuse teams, were also honoured.

Response officers who take a proactive approach to taking drugs off the streets and dismantling organised crime groups were also praised.

Mr Winstanley, said: "The recipients of these awards should rightfully be proud of their achievements and this year has seen some fantastic examples of individuals and teams demonstrating bravery, leadership, and tenacity to ensure that vulnerable people are safeguarded and supported, and offenders are brought to justice.

"We are also incredibly proud on this occasion to recognise the selflessness of a member of the public, whose brave actions potentially saved the life of a young man in crisis.

"I am very proud of each and every of them, and thank them for their service. Well done to all."