A POLICE officer whose brave actions helped to prevent a man doused in petrol from setting himself on fire has been given an award.

A postman was also praised for helping to save a woman after her car ended up perched over the edge of a 40ft cliff.

PC Ian Cooper received a Divisional Commander's commendation from Chief Superintendent Pete Lewis.

He removed a lighter from the man doused in petrol and handcuffed him during a confrontation outside Ashbourne Police Station.

The man was taken to Derby City Hospital where he was assessed and detained under the Mental Health Act.

During a ceremony in Buxton, police staff and members of the public heard that PC Cooper put himself at "considerable risk" during the incident in July 2008.

Ch Supt Lewis said: "PC Cooper defused a highly dangerous situation at great personal risk to himself. By doing so, he protected a vulnerable man from serious harm. This was police work of an exceptionally high standard."

During the awards ceremony yesterday, postal worker Ben Haston was praised for helping the woman at the cliff.

In May last year, she was driving along White Tor Road, Matlock, when she was met by a row of oncoming traffic.

She reversed along the road to allow the traffic to pass.

However, while reversing, the car bumped over a kerb and was forced on to the edge of the 40ft drop.

The woman managed to get herself out of the car, but was precariously close to the edge and panicked.

Mr Haston, who was passing on his postal delivery round, helped her to safety despite the risk of them both going over the edge of the cliff.

Mr Haston continued on his round after the arrival of the ambulance.

Ch Supt Lewis commented: "Mr Haston acted selflessly and with great bravery to assist this lady.

"He should be praised for his actions."

Mr Haston was not at the ceremony to collect his award, but will do so at another event in the future.

Also praised during yesterday's ceremony were police community support officers Sue Lester and Granville Nixon.

They were commended for their work to develop a scheme to bring together rural communities and help reduce crime.

On seeing an increase in trailer and 4x4 thefts within the Wirksworth and Darley Dale areas, PCSOs Lester and Nixon developed a farm and rural community watch scheme based on the principles of the neighbourhood watch scheme.

The initiative aims to link together farms and rural hamlets, allow them to get to know their police teams, and encourage them to report suspicious activity in their areas.

The project is being supported by the National Farmers' Union – which has provided eye-catching signs to go on display around the area.

Ch Supt Lewis said: "Sue Lester and Granville Nixon have put a tremendous amount of effort into securing the support of partner agencies, which in turn will help support farms and people living in rural areas."