A NORTH YORKSHIRE police officer who chased the driver of a stolen car on foot despite breaking his arm in a fall has been nominated for the title of Britain's bravest bobby.

Harrogate PC Mark Hill, 40, is among 50 officers from across the UK who will meet the Home Secretary David Blunkett at the Police Bravery Awards next month.

His name was put forward by the county's Police Federation after an incident which occurred when he was off duty and driving home from work along the A65 between Skipton and Settle in March last year.

After becoming suspicious of the occupants of a vehicle being driven quickly and erratically, he contacted colleagues and found it had been stolen only 24 hours earlier.

PC Hill then pursued the vehicle as it was driven at speeds of up to 90mph, overtaking on double white lines before it finally crashed into a wall.

When three men got out and ran off PC Hill gave chase on foot, but fell after jumping a wall and broke his right arm on some debris.

Despite the injury he continued the chase, eventually arresting the driver and handing him over to other officers. All three men were arrested and subsequently convicted of aggravated vehicle-taking.

Bob Humpleby, chairman of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "His professionalism is what the public expects and receives from officers of this force."

Updated: 10:29 Friday, June 27, 2003