A brave farmer, who pulled a driver from his burning car, was among the North Yorkshire civilians and police officers honoured today at a special ceremony.

Also receiving awards from Chief Constable David Kenworthy were officers who rescued three people trapped for hours in a blizzard on the North York Moors.

Nicholas Turnbull, 37, who farms near Sinnington, was presented with a Royal Humane Society Honorary Testimonial at North Yorkshire police headquarters at Newby Wiske for his actions, which saved the life of a motorist.

He was working in one of his outbuildings in January last year when a car containing three young men crashed nearby.

He arrived at the scene to find the car in flames and the teenage driver unconscious, slumped behind the wheel. Mr Turnbull pulled the man free and carried him to safety, before the car exploded in a ball of flames.

"I didn't think of my own safety, I just had to get him out," said Mr Turnbull, who is a father of three boys.

Mr Turnbull's citation says: "There is no doubt that Mr Turnbull's actions saved the life of this man, who made a full recovery."

PC Sarah Sanderson, of Pickering, and PC Andy Pomfret, of Helmsley, received commendations for a dramatic rescue during a blizzard on the moors.

Three people had been trapped for seven hours in their car on Blakey Ridge, near Kirkbymoorside, amid high winds, heavy snowfall and lightning, without a torch, blankets or warm clothing.

The officers struggled to the scene and then transferred the three to their police 4x4. They then had to wait to be rescued themselves by a JCB, driven by James Bumby.

Their citation says: "Without the brave and professional actions of PCs Pomfret and Sanderson and Mr Bumby, this incident could have had a very serious conclusion."

Sgt Stephen Smith, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, was commended for his professionalism in dealing with barristers, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and crucial witnesses during a trial at York Crown Court. Three men were jailed for a total of 32 years for burglary, blackmail and conspiracy to supply drugs.

PC Mark Rees, of Easingwold, and PC Stephen Gardner, of Harrogate, were commended for tackling and arresting a drunk and extremely agitated youth who had threatened two men with a knife.

Among the officers receiving police long service and good conduct medals were Sgt James Turney, of Selby, York-based Sgt Paul Jenkins and Sgt Michael Holland, Traffic Sgt Stephen Burns, based at Harrogate, and Det Con Duncan Thackray, of York CID.

Updated: 10:25 Friday, January 26, 2001