TWO police officers and a nurse who battled to save the life of a pensioner after he collapsed in the street, have been praised by St John Ambulance.

The trio were presented with their awards yesterday morning, at Darlington police station, where the two officers are based.

PCs Andrea Rossi, 35, and Hannah Bell, 31, were taking their lunch break in Darlington town centre in April when they came across the 70-year-old lying in the street outside a mobile phone shop.

Having fallen heavily, the man, from Newton Aycliffe, had hit his head and was bleeding heavily.

Helped by Sue Maloney, a nurse from Ingleby Barwick who was in the area at the time, the officers gave the victim the kiss of life and tried to revive him.

They kept this up for several minutes until paramedics arrived and took over.

Sadly, the man died shortly after arriving at hospital without regaining consciousness.

The actions of the three have been recognised in the form of letters of appreciation from the St John Ambulance Association, which were presented by Darlington mayor, Councillor Isobel Hartley, and mayoress, Lillian Elliott.