Four police officers prevented a desperate teenager from jumping off a road bridge by talking to him for 25 minutes.

The 19-year-old threatened to jump when he was spotted on the wrong side of the railings.

Off-duty PC Rachel Pearson saw the youth at Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, as she drove home from a day trip to France.

She went to talk to the youth, who was on a ledge overlooking the A24, and alerted Sussex police.

Horsham traffic officers, Sgt Nigel Nuttall and PCs Neville Wren and Sarah Fewings, helped calm the youth and between them, the four officers coaxed him back to the safety of the road and took him home.

Their actions were praised at a special ceremony at Crawley police station when PC Pearson, from Surrey police, won an award for her bravery and professionalism. The other three officers were honoured for professionalism, patience and team work.

Awards also went to PCs Daren Lillywhite and Susan Perry for vigilance and good investigative work after they spotted a car in Pulborough with part of the registration number altered.

The officers were involved in a violent struggle with the two occupants but managed to keep them under control until colleagues arrived.

An award also went to retired police officer, Mike Howard, for his voluntary work administering the Crawley Pubwatch scheme for the past five years.

Presenting the awards, the High Sheriff of West Sussex Graham Ferguson said civilisation would collapse without these sorts of examples of total devotion to duty.

He said: "What you people are doing is beyond the call of duty for little reward, little thanks and little recognition. But this is recognition."

There was also a surprise award for Sgt Nick Handley from the Pubwatch scheme. Mr Howard presented him with an Australian police badge for his collection of police memorabilia "for his dynamic work" as liaison officer with the scheme.

Other officers receiving awards, who were unable to be present, included:

PCs Colin Hamilton, Sue West and Sadie Crockford for disarming a man with a knife in Horsham.

PCs Glen Matthews and Russell Burgess for arresting two men in Storrington following a violent struggle during which PC Burgess suffered a knee injury.

PC Paul Rolland for professionalism and dedication to duty following the killing of teacher Jillian Parnham in Ashington earlier this year; and PCs Andy Sanford and Neil MacGuire, whose police work following the arrest of a shoplifter helped with a robbery investigation.

An award has also been made to Chris Armstrong, of Tilgate, Crawley, who became suspicious of a group of teenagers near his home and saw one of them damage a wing mirror of a car. He followed the group and brought the teenager responsible back to his home and called the police.

Special constables Graham Winter and Gerry Babbidge are also being honoured for dedication to duty for giving hours of voluntary service.

A Royal Humane Society Award has gone to Sgt Phil Woodgate for resuscitating a man who was taken ill in the custody suite at Crawley police station.

Chief Insp Nick Reeves said the ceremony recognised the work of full time officers and special constables, along with the vital role played by the public in cutting crime.

He said: "The awards are a way we can show how pleased we are that officers and members of the public have done so much for their communities."