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House blaze rescue PC in awards
7:00pm Friday 7th July 2006
A POLICEMAN who rescued a boy from a burning house in Blackburn is in the running to be named Britain's bravest bobby.
If PC Neil Cookson wins at the 11th annual Police Bravery Awards it will be the third honour he has been given for saving the life of 12-year-old Jordan Barton.
Already PC Cookson, 44, has been awarded the William Garnett Cup Lancashire's highest award for bravery and a Chief Constable's commendation.
Now he has been put forward by the Lancashire Police Federation for the country's most prestigious police bravery awards.
In the early hours of January 29 last year, PC Cookson, who is married and lives in Chorley, was heading off duty to buy a sandwich when a call came over his radio about a woman screaming outside a house in Dukes Brow, Blackburn.
PC Cookson, who was in the area, went to check out the report and found Jordan's mum lying outside the house, distressed and unable to speak.
He looked inside the house and saw a pair of child's shoes by the door and went inside, despite a blaze raging in the living room.
PC Cookson crawled on his hands and knees up the stairs and found Jordan asleep in the last room he looked in. He carried the boy to safety in a duvet.
PC Cookson said he was no hero and added: "Anyone in my position would have done the same.
"The house was extremely smoky and I just knew there was a little person inside and I had to get him out. I just happened to be there that's all."
Steve Edwards, chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation, said: "Neil's decisive and selfless actions on that morning undoubtedly saved the life of a young boy.
"His nomination recognises his courage, determination and commitment to serving the public and yet again demonstrates the risks that police officers take on a daily basis.
"The public of Lancashire should be proud of his actions, we are extremely proud of him and wish him well."
The ceremony will be held at the Dorcester Hotel, London, on July 13.
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