TWO police officers who fought a life and death battle to prevent a Leominster man hanging himself have been awarded top national life-saving honours.

PCs John Meek, 46, and Ashley North, 44, have been awarded Royal Humane Society Certificates of Commendation for saving the life of the man who was moments from death when they found him.

They have also won the personal praise of Royal Humane Society Secretary, Andrew Chapman, who said: “But for them the man would have died. They reached him in the nick of time but then had a serious and arduous struggle to save him. It was very much touch and go.

“What they did has since been described by the West Mercia Police who recommended them for the awards they are to receive ‘good old fashioned on the ground policing.’ That really sums it up. They are true heroes and richly deserve the awards they are to receive.”

Police were alerted after the 22-year-old was spotted climbing a tree with a rope round his neck in a suicide bid. However, he failed in his first attempt as the branch broke.

Police reached the scene in the countryside near Bromyard and began searching for him.

PC Meek spotted him and was joined by PC North.

By the time they reached the man he was hanging high up in the tree.

However, PC Meek, who could not reach him from the ground, climbed on a fence and struggled to take his weight to ease the pressure from the noose.

PC North climbed the tree and managed to cut the rope allowing them to get the man’s body back on the ground.

Even though the noose was tight round his neck he was still breathing. They then managed to cut it off and guide an ambulance crew to the scene. The man went on to make a full recovery.

Police said later that it was thanks to the local knowledge of the two men, “good old fashioned on the ground policing with the drive and want to serve” that they located the man and saved his life.

The roots of the Royal Humane Society stretch back more than two centuries. The Queen is its patron and its president is Princess Alexandra. It is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life.