Bravery award for water rescue Pc

Pc Alan Lowe and his dog Max tracked the woman for a mile.

A police officer from Dorset who rescued a pensioner by carrying her over his head through freezing water has been honoured with a bravery award.

Dorset Pc Alan Lowe, 44, was named as the bravest bobby in the South West at the Police Federation's annual awards at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

He saved the life of the woman, who had taken half a bottle of tablets and was virtually submerged in a gully of freezing water.

PC Lowe and his dog Max tracked the woman for a mile across country in the dark and then carried the 73-year-old on his shoulders to an area where a rescue helicopter could land.

Afterwards the lady made a full recovery and went out and bought a rescue dog and named it after my dog

Pc Alan Lowe

Pc Lowe, who was presented with his award by TV presenter Dale Winton, said: "I just feel very humble to be here.

"When you do something like this you don't really think about the consequences you just know that if you don't do it the person is going to die.

"In hindsight I did take a risk, my feet were trapped and sinking down in the mud but you just get on with it, the lady would have died.

"Afterwards the lady made a full recovery and went out and bought a rescue dog and named it after my dog."

A total of 50 policemen and women from 32 forces attended the awards, established eight years ago to pay tribute to police heroes.

West Mercia Constabulary's Pc Ian Fielding was voted 'top of the cops' to become the outright winner.