Officer in line for bravery award

Home Secretary David Blunkett will be attending the ceremony

A police officer from Kent is competing to be Britain's bravest bobby after he tried to save an elderly man from his burning home.

Pc Mick Williams-Smith, a patrol officer based at Maidstone, has been nominated for a Police Bravery Award.

The 40-year-old woke in the early hours of the morning in June 2001 to see his 80-year-old neighbour shouting for help from his burning home.

He went into the sheltered housing complex, where the man lived, after calling the fire brigade, and tried to reach the man but was beaten back by smoke.

'Stark reminder'

He made four further unsuccessful attempts to save the man and made sure other residents were evacuated.

Fire crews eventually rescued the man but he died in hospital five days later.

Ian Pointon, the chairman of the Kent Police Federation said: "Pc Williams-Smith put the safety of others above that of his own.

"He deserves to be recognised for that courage.

"His nomination in the Police Bravery Award recognises his dedication to duty and is a stark reminder that, on or off duty, police officers routinely place themselves in danger as they serve the public."

Pc Williams-Smith will be one of 50 officers from across the country who are vying for a top national accolade and eight regional awards at the ceremony on 1 July which will be attended by Home Secretary David Blunkett.