NEVER mix business with pleasure, or so the saying goes.

But the combination has earned award winning results for one crime fighting couple.

Husband and wife police constables Martin and Rachel Ostick were praised for their bravery yesterday at a high-profile awards ceremony.

They were just two of a number of Bolton bobbies to be given awards for their dedication to policing the streets.

Martin, aged 40 and Rachel, 34, were off-duty and taking a new car for a test-drive along Bury New Road, Bolton, when they were called into action last November.

Martin, an officer for 17 years, said: "We were coming back to the garage when we saw a middle-aged man struggling with a holdall with two youngsters across the street. We thought the kids were trying to rob the man so we went across but it was then obvious that it was the other way around."

Rachel, who has worked at Bootle Street Police Station, in Manchester, for seven years, added: "It turned out that he had burgled their home. They had been playing out and saw the man walking out of their home with a bag full of their property."

They arrested the man, who was subsequently charged and convicted.

The pair have been married for eight years -- but as the dangerous nature of the job once again hits the headlines with the killing of DC Stephen Oake in Crumpsall, the couple from Chorley say they would not change a thing.

Martin, a force driving instructor, said: "I do not think it is more dangerous now than it was then. We just have to contend with different things like needles and guns."

PC Stephanie Woodburn, aged 25, from Bolton -- an officer for three years -- was also praised for helping calm down a man carrying two knives and threatening to kill himself.

She was confronted with the man after being called to a flat in Chorley Old Road. PC Woodburn said: "I tried to talk to him and reassure him that it would be all right and he put the knives down.

"I love the challenge of my job. It is something different every day and that is the thrill."

Chief Supt Don Brown, Bolton's divisional commander, said: "Awards have been given to thank and recognise those officers who have gone beyond all expectation in their dedication and commitment while serving the public of Bolton.

"We are proud to serve with them."

Other officers to receive awards were: Sgt Peter Sellers, PC Barry Carter, PC Joseph Gallagher, Det Con Philip Slater, PC Elizabeth Hopkinson, Sgt Joy McMahon, PC Sara Smith, PC Andrew Morris, PC Christopher Brickley, Det Con Michael Hayes, Det Con Lyndon Gormley, Det Con Neil Lawless, PC Philip Berry, Det Sgt Anthony Fitzpatrick and Det Con Andrew Higham and PC Deborah Forrester.

BRAVE: PC Woodburn who managed to calm a knifeman