A police officer who was shot at by an escaped convict is competing for the title of Britain's bravest bobby tonight.

Marksman PC Ian Potter was shot at 20 times by fugitive Christopher Maitland at St Peter's Church, Brighton, in April 2003.

Armed robber Maitland, 21, unleashed a volley of rounds from scaffolding surrounding the church before he was floored by a single shot from PC Potter.

The officer has been nominated in the 11th annual police bravery awards, being held at London's Dorchester Hotel this evening.

He was one of a number of officers deployed to the scene in the early hours of Good Friday after Maitland told police they had better come "armed to the teeth" as he had a high powered pistol with 175 rounds of ammunition.

Maitland had earlier escaped from prison where he was serving time for holding up The Sussex pub in Kingsway, Hove. He had told friends he intended to "go out with all guns blazing."

During the incident PC Potter approached within 30ft and told Maitland to climb down with his arms outstretched. The gunman fired at him twice, narrowly missing the officer. PC Potter, a former Grenadier guardsman, returned fire with one shot before an armoured vehicle moved forward to protect him with a ballistic shield.

Maitland fired at least 15 more times before he was talked down. It was discovered that PC Potter's shot had passed though Maitland's shin into his buttock.

The gunman was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of ten years in 2005.

Sussex Police Federation chairman Brian Stockham said: "In this instance Ian Potter had no form of cover but carried out his training calmly and with deliberation, despite being under fire and in fear of his life and for others.

"He deserves the highest praise, and we are immensely proud of him."

Tonight's awards follow a reception at Downing Street with the Prime Minister.