MORE than 50 police officers and staff have been honoured for their outstanding work and public service.

Durham Constabulary officers have been presented with Wow awards, many of them nominated by the public.

One officer, PC Geoff Moore, received three separate awards.

Along with PCSO Trevor Patterson and PCSO George Burton, he was praised by a burglary victim for the extra lengths they went to in order to catch the offender and recover the property.

The same three, along with PC Michael Hall also received a separate award for a memorable visit they arranged to Crook police station for a police-mad five year old boy suffering from leukaemia.

Finally, PC Moore received an individual award for his work in dealing with a member of the public who had been the victim of anti-social behaviour in Frosterley.

PC Kevin Robson and PC Scott Wilson received an award for their efforts to save the life of a taxi driver who collapsed in Seaham town centre earlier this year.

The officers carried out first aid and after several minutes intense effort managed to revive him, but sadly his condition worsened and he died in the waiting ambulance.

A relative of the deceased said “These two men showed bravery, courtesy, and respect for the feelings of the family and I honestly can't thank these two gentlemen enough for the caring attitude they showed.

“They tried so unbelievably hard, it was way and above their duty and they were absolutely fantastic.”

Other recipients included Karen Jemmett based at police HQ in Aykley Heads, who has helped cut paperwork and streamline processes to improve the liaison between police and CPS.

Also honoured was volunteer Betty Wood, who helps organise Police and Communities Together meetings in Howden-le-Wear and has worked hard to establish at least one Neighbourhood Watch member in every street.