FOUR York workers who raced to the side of a fatally injured elderly woman when she was attacked by a bag snatcher have been commended for their deeds.

Paul Harrison was joined by three colleagues from TICS railway signalling company when he saw drug addict Wayne Cooper rob frail 72-year-old Eileen Smith in Hebden Rise, Acomb.

Mr Harrison, together with Stephen Armitage and Gavin Richardson chased Cooper and held him until the police arrived, while Lee Agar helped Mrs Smith as she lay injured.

Chief Constable Della Cannings will present all four men with certificates of appreciation at a ceremony at North Yorkshire Police headquarters on Friday.

Mrs Smith, who attempted to stop her bag being yanked from her shoulder, died from the injuries she suffered as she fell to the ground in August last year.

Cooper, of Danesfort Avenue, Acomb, was sentenced to six-and-a-half-years in December after admitting manslaughter and robbery.

Three police officers will also receive Chief Constable's commendations at the ceremony.

PCs Steve Williams and Shane Martin have been recognised for their bravery in dealing with a mentally ill man who threatened to attack a man he had already assaulted with a snooker cue outside a bar in Scarborough.

After the first incident, the attacker arrived at Scarborough District Hospital carrying a large knife up his sleeve. The officers arrested him in a violent struggle, during which they were spat at and threatened.

PC Andrew Fraser has been commended for helping to prevent a distressed woman from taking her own life in the sea at North Bay in Scarborough. He waded into the water and pulled her to the shore.

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, August 04, 2004