Brave policewoman Teresa Milburn is back at work, just six months after she was seriously wounded in a shooting incident which claimed the life of her female colleague.

The 37-year-old is carrying out part-time office duties at Bradford Central police station, where she worked with tragic PC Sharon Beshenivsky.

The pair were attending a call to an alleged armed robbery at the Universal Express travel agents in Morley Street, Bradford city centre, on November 18 last year when they were shot.

Mother-of-five PC Beshenivsky, 38, died from her injuries. PC Milburn suffered serious wounds to her shoulder and was detained in hospital for several days for intensive treatment.

Since then the mum-of-one has bravely battled to get over her physical and emotional scars.

PC Milburn had hoped to take part in last weekend's charity fun run to raise funds for PC Beshenivsky's family but was unable to do so on medical advice.

She has now travelled to Bournemouth for the national Police Federation conference where she will join hundreds of other officers in paying an emotional tribute to her friend and colleague.

She said yesterday: "I am now back at work carrying out light duties. It's going very well. I am pleased to be back, but it is not easy. It is a big step for me but I have had a hell of a lot of support from the police force and my colleagues and that is great. West Yorkshire Police have been fantastic."

PC Milburn said she was disappointed she had not been able to take part in the fun run, but was delighted it had been so well supported.

"It is very good to know that so many people were prepared to turn out to commemorate Sharon's memory," she said.

Earlier this year PC Milburn received a national award for her outstanding bravery.

She received the award from the British Association for Women in Policing for distinguishing herself by an act of extraordinary selflessness, personal bravery, courage or self-sacrifice.

West Yorkshire Police's Chief Constable, Colin Cramphorn, paid tribute to PC Milburn.

He said: "Teresa has been affected more than anyone by the whole chain of events since November 18. But she is making great progress and is in good heart.

"She is on recuperative duties. She is not fully operational or working full hours, but she has built up to working three or four hours a day on office duties at Bradford South, where she was based before.

"She had been looking forward to getting back to work. It is important for her that she has the continuing support of her team and colleagues around her. They have all been very supportive."

Mr Cramphorn said PC Milburn had sent an e-mail to update him on her progress.

He added: "She told me how proud she felt to be a member of West Yorkshire Police because of all the support she has had. I was very touched by that."

PC Milburn was taking part in a double tribute to PC Beshenivsky at the Police Federation conference.

Last night a eulogy was given at an eve-of-conference dinner by West Yorkshire Federation official Kath Bainbridge. And today colleagues were paying tribute on a pre-recorded video being shown to delegates.

After leaving hospital PC Milburn, of Birtsall, told how she had "lost a colleague and a dear friend."

And she added: "Sharon and I enjoyed working together immensely."

Five men are due to face trial later this year accused of the murder of PC Beshenivsky, who lived with her husband Paul and their children at Hainworth, near Keighley.

One of the men, Mussaker Imtiaz Shah, 24, is also charged with the attempted murder of PC Milburn.