A BARNOLDSWICK police officer and his paramedic wife have received an official police commendation for saving the life of a local man in the town centre.

PC Mark Hyde was quick to act when he realised an elderly and disabled man was choking on food during a demonstration against the proposed closure of the Cravenside Home for the Elderly.

Accompanied by Barnoldswick's Sgt Chris Saville, he lifted the choking man from his wheelchair and attempted to clear his airway and get him breathing again.

By chance, PC Hyde's wife Susan, a trained paramedic, was in the town centre and joined her husband. Together they managed to clear the man's airway and save his life.

Both PC Hyde and his wife were nominated for a commendation by Sgt Saville.

In his report of the incident, on Saturday April 13, he said Ernest Turner, of St Andrew's House disabled unit, was experiencing difficulties in breathing after choking on food.

The report added: "His condition was deteriorating rapidly. His face was turning blue, his eyes were bulging and it became apparent that if his airway was not cleared there could be tragic consequences.

"Together we removed Mr Turner from his wheelchair and PC Hyde repeatedly carried out the Heimlich manoeuvre as I summoned an ambulance."

PC Hyde was joined by his wife and the couple continued to render first aid to Mr Turner until they successfully cleared his airway and he started breathing normally again.

"The ambulance appeared a short time later, but I fear that without the prompt action of PC Hyde and his wife that Mr Turner would have asphyxiated," wrote Sgt Saville.

"I am in no doubt that their actions saved his life."

Commenting on the incident, Inspector David Croll said: "This was an excellent piece of work by PC Hyde and his wife, which no doubt saved Mr Turner's life."

They were each presented with framed commendations from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society in a ceremony at Burnley Town Hall on Tuesday.

The presentation was made by the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Gordon Birtwistle, and also present was Mr Turner's wife, Angela, who thanked PC Hyde and his wife personally for their actions.

Speaking afterwards, PC Hyde said: "I was very proud and pleased to receive the commendation and I know my wife was too.

"It was great to be able to do something to really help a member of the public in their time of need.

PC Hyde is one of the team of Community Beat Managers assigned to specific beats in West Craven and given special responsibility for strengthening community links.

His wife works for the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service and is stationed at Settle.