AN MP today called on the public to show more support for police after praising two officers for saving the life of a fire victim.

Brighton Kemp Town MP Des Turner visited Sussex Police HQ in Lewes to personally congratulate PCs Andy Pescott and Matt Presland.

He intends writing to Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse suggesting bravery awards for the officers.

He said: "It is all very well for the PCs to say it was all in the line of duty but it is firefighters who are trained to tackle fires.

"These two did not hesitate and they almost certainly saved this man's life.

"Police get a lot of knocks and complaints these days, but they do a great deal of good work and get a lot of things right.

"People think their job is easier than it looks, but their task is often extremely hard, and they need our backing.

Newhaven-based PCs Pescott and Presland were patrolling in a squad car when they spotted smoke in the first-floor flat in South Coast Road, Peacehaven.

They crawled

into the lounge and found 15-stone Philip Cooper.

They carried him to safety and paramedics took him to hospital.

The 36-year-old victim, who had been drinking, suffered superficial burns when the jumper and T-shirt he was wearing melted.

When he was taken outside, Cooper asked the officers for a can of beer.

The two officers were treated by an ambulance crew at the scene for smoke inhalation.

PC Presland, 27, said: "I didn't have time to be frightened."

PC Pescott, 33, married with two young daughters, said: "We knew he was in there and we had to get him out."

He said he felt embarrassed to be called a hero but admitted his wife Kelly was proud of him.

An East Sussex Fire Brigade spokesman said: "If it had not been for the officers' prompt action then the fire could have proved fatal."

Both officers have received Chief Constable's commendations in the past. PC Presland received one for clearing up 25 burglaries.

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