A boy who gave a running phone commentary to police as his father chased two thieves in his car has been handed an award.

Tom Jasper, 11, used a mobile phone to keep track of the men, who had stolen two bottles of champagne from his father's shop.

For seven minutes the youngster, a pupil at St Philip Howard School in Barnham, near Bognor, told officers which direction the thieves were travelling.

Thanks to his help, officers were able to arrest the thieves after the incident in June.

Tom and his father David were recognised for their quick-thinking at a police awards ceremony in Worthing yesterday. They were presented with good citizenship awards for demonstrating initiative.

David, who owns Jaspers in Westergate, near Bognor, said: "I'm extremely proud of Tom.

"I was the one who initially called police but they quite rightly told me I couldn't talk to them on the phone and drive at the same time so Tom took the phone from me.

"He is mature for his age and didn't panic when he talked to the police.

"He kept up a running commentary and directed them to where we were because he knows the area well. I think he did very well."

The ceremony, at Centenary House in Durrington, commended a number of officers and members of the public for life-saving or crime-prevention work.