A police officer has been honoured with bravery awards for two dramatic rescues.

In one incident, Haywards Heath PC Neil Hersey, 31, crawled on his stomach to reach a trapped motorist after breaking his own leg.

In another he helped save four occupants of a blazing car which crashed during a police pursuit.

His colleague in that rescue, rookie PC Alison Murphy - who was also commended - said: "Neil was very calm, cool and collected and I thought that this sort of thing must happen all the time."

In the rescue which earned PC Hersey his first commendation, a woman was trapped in a car which had rolled down an embankment after swerving to avoid horses in Crawley Avenue, Crawley.

In the dark, PC Hersey tripped, broke his leg and tore ligaments in his foot.

After pulling himself down the embankment on his stomach, he found she was able to free herself from the wreckage.

Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse's citation said: "Whilst injured, PC Hersey acted professionally in the best traditions of the service giving priority to the preservation of life while disregarding the pain he was feeling.

"There was also clearly a threat to his safety as the vehicles were still functional and there was fuel leaking."

His second commendation was earned with PC Murphy, 41, of Cuckfield, after they decided to make a routine check on a Ford Escort.

The Crawley-based officers pursued the car after its driver heard their siren and sped away.

After a few miles the driver overtook another vehicle on a corner and crashed into it.

The Escort's engine burst into flames. PC Hersey rescued the driver - who was later convicted of a number of motoring offences - and pulled two women from the back seat. PC Murphy saved the front seat passenger.

Mr Whitehouse said: "Both officers acted decisively and with complete disregard for their own safety, repeatedly returning to the burning vehicle and saving the lives of the four casualties."