POLICE officers who investigated an horrific knife attack on a teenager, and civilians who came to the aid of the boy are to be commended for their efforts.

Ashley Murray was stabbed 18 times and left for dead by two teenage boys at the Birk Crag beauty spot, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in 1999.

The youngster, who was 13 at the time, survived in the open for two days before he was found by a dog walker who alerted the emergency services.

Now, detectives are to be honoured for their work, which led to the two offenders being arrested and later sentenced to be detained for six years for attempted murder.

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Simon Mason, and Detective Constables Mick Silcock, Jon Spivey, Sue Marklew, Peter Wakefield, Paul Creelman, David Metcalfe and Paul Somerville will be awarded commendations at a ceremony in Boroughbridge tomorrow.

Civilians George Stephenson, Mark Ashworth and John Birchall, who were the first people at the scene, will be given commendations for their part in helping Ashley.

Western area staff officer Harry Gray said: "This became of national interest because there was mention of a correlation between that and the Jamie Bulger case.

"It was difficult for people who were involved in it or worked on it in a professional capacity. We are very pleased to recognise the work that has gone into it."

An area commander's commendation will also be presented to acting Sergeant John Downham for dealing with a distressed woman who was threatening to blow up her gas-filled home in Harrogate, in March.

He attended the scene at a fume-filled house, where the woman was holding a cigarette lighter and claiming she would blow it up.

Acting Sgt Downham eventually entered the building and was able to lead the woman out without any damage being caused.

Other awards go to traffic constables Rob Roberts and Tracy Smales, who prevented a woman jumping from a bridge over the A1, and officers who investigated an attempted rape in Ripon last year, leading to the offender being jailed for five years.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Rose Manor Hotel, in Boroughbridge.