A PARACHUTE regiment recruit is to be rewarded for helping police to arrest a suspect fleeing from officers after a struggle.

David Darby, 17, who joined Catterick Garrison's Infantry Training Centre a few weeks ago, was walking his dog in a park near his home in Nottinghamshire, when he spotted police struggling with two men.

He said: "One of the men dropped what I later found out to be CS gas and than ran away in my direction.

"I shoulder barged him and that knocked him back a bit. I was struggling with him along with one of the policemen when more police cars turned up."

"He calmed down a lot then and was arrested.''

Police later called at Mr Derby's house to thank him.

On April 5, he will be presented with a commendation by Nottinghamshire 's chief constable.

Mr Derby said: "My mum's pretty pleased about me getting this award and so is my dad. They are going to be there when I am presented with it."