A POLICEMAN whose heroic actions saved the life of a one-year-old baby has received a top award.

PC Tony Morton has received the Royal Humane Society Award, alongside among a number of North Yorkshire Police officers and staff also awarded for their bravery and quick thinking.

When one-year-old Harry Robinson suddenly stopped breathing and was carried into the street in Selby by his panicked mum Ruth, PC Morton stepped in to help.

He initially thought she was carrying a rag doll as he saw them from the road and said his "heart sank" when he realised it was a baby.

Harry did not have a pulse but after PC Morton called an ambulance and massaged Harry's chest and breathed into his mouth, he began to respond. When paramedics arrived, they said without PC Morton's actions, Harry may not have survived.

Dick Wilkinson, the Royal Humane Society's secretary, said: "PC Morton made the difference between life and death for this little boy. I’m sure his family will be forever grateful to this officer for saving this young life.

"PC Morton is a credit to the force – a true life-saving hero - and richly deserves this award."

Meanwhile Special Constables Alex Pinhorn, Neil Fraser and colleagues, PCs Simon Blythe and Alistair Brown were commended at the ceremony a police headquarters in Newby Wiske for their actions in saving the life of a man who jumped into the River Ouse from Lendal Bridge in York in March.

They reached him via the basement of a restaurant, safely bringing him to safety.

PCs Kimberly Copestake and Craig Hannah and another colleague were commended for their efforts in trying to save the life of a woman who died in a collision in Selby.

They worked together as a team, taking it in turns to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation until medical assistance arrived. Sadly, despite the officers’ best efforts, the woman did not survive her injuries.

Chief Superintendent Lisa Winward said: “Their commendation is to recognise the resilience and professionalism the officers showed on that night in what were very difficult circumstances, and to acknowledge that they represented the organisation in the best possible way, going above and beyond the expectations of their role.”

Ripon-based officer, PC Matthew Scott was commended for arresting and detaining two men by himself. While patrolling the Spa Gardens, PC Scott spotted two men sitting in the darkness on a bench. He observed them at a distance and as he approached them, saw them discard a mobile phone and try to leave the scene in a hurry. A search revealed they had burgled the Spa Hotel, minutes before.