A JUDGE has praised the bravery of a police officer called to a blaze after a woman torched her home in a "cry for help".

Judge Lesley Newton said she wanted to commend the prompt and courageous actions of Bacup officer PC Neil Hayhurst who was faced with what could have been a very dangerous situation.

Burnley Crown Court earlier heard how the officer dragged Pauline Nield, 54, from her Bacup home after she set the curtains on fire and then went back in to make sure nobody else was in the house.

Nield, of Pennine Road, Bacup, escaped jail after earlier admitting arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

She was given a 12-months community rehabilitation order by the judge who said she must co-operate with the Alcohol Advisory Service and medics.

Judge Newton told the defendant what she had done was potentially very dangerous but she was satisfied at the time she had been in need of help and support.

The judge said the person who was principally at risk in the offence was Nield herself and psychiatric and pre-sentence reports said a non-custodial sentence was appropriate.

Robert Crawford, defending, said the offence had been a cry for help. Nield was now clear of alcohol and amenable to psychiatric treatment.

The defendant had been in a shocking state several months ago, but there had now been a dramatic improvement.