A LEIGH police officer who jumped into a canal to rescue a drowning woman will be honoured for his bravery next week.

PC Paul Winning, aged 45, dived into the Leeds/Liverpool Canal and swam to the centre to reach the woman. He grabbed hold of her and swam to the bank where a fellow officer helped to drag her to safety.

PC Winning, who is based at Leigh Police Station, will receive a Chief Constable's Commendation and Royal Humane Society Award at Wigan Town Hall on Monday.

The presentation will be made by Cllr Sam Little, Mayor of Wigan, and the Chief Constable David Wilmot.

A Bolton police officer will be honoured at the same ceremony.

Effort

Tyldesley beat bobby PC Dermot Mitchell will receive the Wigan Metropolitan Borough Trophy - a miners' lamp presented annually to any officer considered to have contributed most to community care through personal effort off duty. The award has been made for the last eight years.

PC Mitchell, who lives in Bolton, has worked as a community officer in the Shakerley and Tyldesley areas since 1994. He has forged strong links with the housing department, youth, social services and local councillors.

He regularly visits schools, has been involved in the running of the Shakerley Estate Local Community Centre and the youth club.

The police officer has also initiated the Tyldesley pubwatch scheme and is currently involved with the local Chamber of Commerce in trying to establish a shopwatch/traders association.

Seventeen police officers, three who live in Bolton, will also receive long service and good conduct medals at the ceremony.

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