A CLUB doorman and three police officers will receive official recognition for helping to save the lives of women in two separate incidents.

Registered doorman Gary Wood and PC Craig Johnston gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage to a woman who collapsed and stopped breathing outside Crocodillo's nightclub, in Chester-le-Street, in July.

They maintained their efforts until the arrival of paramedics, who took the woman, in her early 20s, to hospital, where she made a full recovery.

It is thought her condition was caused through drinking excess alcohol, possibly due to a drink being "spiked".

Divisional police commander Eric Suddes said the pair performed admirably.

"Had it not been the actions of both men, and Gary Wood in particular, the young lady may well have died," said Superintendent Suddes.

Mr Wood, 25, of Bill Quay, Gateshead, will be joined at Monday's presentation by 31-year-old PC Johnson, a beat officer usually serving the Burnmoor and Fencehouses areas near Chester-le-Street. They will receive the St John Ambulance Association Commendation from Chester-le-Street council leader Malcolm Pratt in a ceremony at the civic centre.

l Two other police officers, PCs Peter Tate and Dave Sampson, are to receive a commendation from the Society for the Protection for Life from Fire, after pulling an unconscious woman from a blaze-hit car, in Gilesgate, Durham.

They ensured she was breathing and placed her in the recovery position until an ambulance crew arrived. The 37-year-old woman suffered first and second degree burns to her hands, arms and head in the fire, which she started after a domestic row