A NORTH Yorkshire hero will be congratulated by PM Tony Blair today for trying to save a drowning man from the Ouse.

Traffic Constable Derek Houselander will be praised for his actions when he meets Mr Blair this afternoon.

Before setting off for London, the courageous officer told the Evening Press: "I'd do it again".

Police Federation colleagues have already hailed TC Houselander, 41, as the most courageous officer in North Yorkshire this year.

Today he will be honoured along with 52 officers from other forces, and eight regional and one national bravery awards will be announced.

TC Houselander tried to save Gerald Battle when he tried to swim across the Ouse from the King's Arms, York, for a bet after drinking the equivalent of six pints.

Mr Houselander described how an ordinary day on traffic patrol turned into a rescue drama watched by horrified riverside onlookers and caught on CCTV.

Mr Houselander said: "I was coming through the city in a traffic car. I was monitoring the radio and heard them saying a youth had gone into the river and was swimming across from King's Staith."

"I got down to Queen's Staith and saw the youth swimming across. I could see him come to the side of a barge, but it was so high up he couldn't get out."

TC Houselander got onto the barge and put down a line into the water, then a life ring, but Mr Battle didn't grab either of them.

"He drifted down the side of the barge, then he disappeared under the water. I took some of my kit off and jumped in and I realised he was in really bad difficulties.

"The current took me down and there were two more barges moored on the Queen's Staith."

TC Houselander then wedged himself in between them, with his feet on one and his back against another with one arm holding onto Mr Battle and the other onto a rope hanging down from the barges.

"All I could do was hold on to him - there was nothing else I could do."

Meanwhile PCs Liz Welburn and Ian Sirrell arrived and dropped another rope down and a traffic warden, Stuart McQuade, arrived after commandeering a Red Boat from the other side of the river.

They managed to pull Mr Battle out and tried to revive him, but sadly they and ambulance crews were unsuccessful.

TC Houselander said: "I don't want to have to get in there again - but if I had to I would.