A trio of policeman and a pier worker who rescued a mother and daughter from the sea in Bognor have been awarded for their bravery.

PCs Gary Relf, Philip Duffy and Peter Hawkins, along with pier worker Kevin Murphy, plunged into the freezing waters to save the woman and her five-year-old daughter, who were trapped under Bognor pier, 100 yards from shore.

They were among 28 police officers and a traffic warden from the West Downs Division of Sussex Police to receive recognition from the Mayor of Chichester, David Siggs.

Mr Murphy, the only civilian to receive recognition, was the first to jump into the sea and reach the pair after calling the police on Friday, February 21.

PCs Duffy and Hawkins dived in but were forced back by the current and freezing temperature. When PC Relf arrived he took the plunge, eventually reaching Mr Murphy, the hysterical woman and her child.

Chief Superintendent Graham Walker, presenting the award, said: "After about 30 minutes in the water all four were plucked to safety by the coastguard helicopter and lifeboat.

"All of them needed treatment for the severe effects of cold. I commend them for the courage and strength they showed in these conditions. Without doubt their efforts prevented this from being a far more serious or fatal incident."

PC Relf said: "A lot of people were involved but next time I'm going to ask them to go in the water instead of me. It was absolutely freezing.

"We are all very proud and privileged to be presented with this award. This is what we are trained and paid for but sometimes certain situations become more than expected."

Mr Murphy said he was "incredibly surprised and flattered" at his award and joked his boss had given him the afternoon off after the rescue.

He said: "I was at work when the alarm was raised and I went out to see what was going on.

"I feel very privileged indeed. I was first in the water and I have never been so glad in my life when I saw someone else swimming towards me. I really didn't realise how cold the water was going to be."

PC Duffy added: "I've been in the sea twice before on duty but both times it was the middle of summer. This time it was freezing. It's definitely worth being a hero when it's warmer."

The rescue is not the only time PC Relf has been in the headlines.

He was responsible for setting up the search and rescue team which helped find missing toddler Merlin Reid early last Friday and has received three previous awards.

Among the other recipients of awards were PCs Martin Price and Mark Burgess, who were awarded for courage and dedication to duty.

After being called to a disturbance at a Chinese takeaway in Chichester on October 22, 2001, the officers noticed a fire had started in the upstairs flat.

The officers stayed in the premises to make sure everyone was outside and had to force the occupants to stay out.

Sergeant Bob Sullivan was awarded for leadership and PCs Derrick Thurgood, Derek Glaister and Dave Newman for professionalism and dedication to duty after being attacked by 40 youths trying to gatecrash a party in Rustington on February 7 this year.

Mr Sullivan and PC Thurgood, along with PC Carrieanne Jasper, were also awarded for courage and professionalism after taking a razor blade off a suicidal Arundel man who became aggressive.

PC Peter Higgins was awarded for courage, determination, self-control and conviction after arresting a violent youth during a "very frightening and dangerous confrontation, involving eight or nine youths and relatives" while on a day off in Hampshire.