SEVEN police officers who put their lives on the line to protect each other and the public are to receive Chief Constable's Commendations.

The bravery awards will be presented to the Selby-based "Magnificent Seven" at a special ceremony on Friday.

Sergeant Phillip Mincher and Constables Karen Rawnsley, Karl Simpson, Stuart Davies, Cheryl Moore, Tony Wadsworth and Amanda Butler faced a nightmare scenario on March 23 last year.

Manic depressive Ian Leaper, 36, was running amok on the A19 at Barlby, near Selby, while driving a stolen 18-tonne mechanical digger, without lights.

Police chiefs said it was a miracle no one was killed as Leaper rammed three police vehicles, chased cars and drove on the wrong side of the road.

The seven Selby officers put themselves and their vehicles between the digger and other traffic on the road, before cornering him.

But Leaper, wearing a blonde wig, then rammed the police vehicles with the digger shovel, pushing PC Moore's van off the road and through a fence.

He then used the shovel to flip the car containing Constables Simpson and Rawnsley on to its roof, trapping them in upside down and showering them with glass. PC Taylor's vehicle was rammed.

Barlby resident Darren Calvert also received a Chief Constable's Commendation award after distracting Leaper by throwing a rock at the digger cab, which made him drive off towards Selby, where he was arrested.

Constable David Atkinson will also receive a commendation after arresting a violent man for racially abusing a member of the public in Ashlea Road, Northallerton.

The following officers wil lreceive long service and good conduct medals: Detective Inspector Michael Moore (Newby Wiske HQ), Sgt Jeremy Wilkinson (York control room), Sgt Brian Redshaw (family protection unit, York), PC Andrew Ruston (Central Area dog section, York), PC David Stokes (Thirsk), PC Jerry Parkin (crime support unit, Tadcaster), Mr Peter Metcalfe (detention officer, Northallerton).

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, June 03, 2004