THREE police officers have been hailed heroes after saving a woman in a daring river rescue.

Quick-thinking PCs Rob Cook, Bryan Bowdell and Dave Ford found the woman after a relative reported hearing water during a call to her.

They used their experience and local knowledge to trace her to the River Croal and saved her life after finding her lying on the surface.

PC Cook and PC Bowdell jumped into the river after colleague PC Ford spotted the woman.

Greater Manchester Police bosses have now paid tribute to the three officers for "the most dramatic selfless act possible".

The drama began at 4am on Monday when officers were called to a flat in Bolton town centre over concern for the occupant. PC Ford and a colleague gained entry into the house but the woman was not there.

Desperate relatives who were telephoning the woman told police they could hear water in the background during the call – and this information was given to police officers.

PC Ford said: "From where the address is, I knew there was some water in White Lion Brow and I had a walk down there. I have worked on Bolton division for nine and a half years and have driven past here before and knew there was a bridge here.

"I saw something on the wall of the bridge but couldn't see exactly what it was so I went over and it was a phone, with the screen darkened. I had a look around and I couldn't see anything and I actually took a look over the other side of the bridge, came back and out of the corner of my eye I saw something in the river. I pointed her out and Rob and Bryan took over."

It had taken around 45 minutes to locate the woman, who was unconscious in the debris-filled water by a grate under a walkway and was hidden from general view as dawn broke.

PC Bowdell said: "Dave had done really well to notice the phone and the woman.

"After Dave had pointed her out, I climbed over a wall and jumped down on a walkway by the river. She was floating face up in the river. I saw her lips quivering and she had very shallow breathing.

"I waded into the water and pulled her to the steps and Rob came helped me lift her onto the bank.

"She was really cold and her lips were blue."

The officers took off their jackets and placed over them the woman alongside a foil blanket in an effort to warm her up.

The constables stripped the woman's outer clothes including her duffel coat in case she was suffering hypothermia.

PC Cook said: "We had to lift her from the water on to the side. I didn't really see her injuries until we rolled her over."

They were alarmed to find she had sustained serious injuries to her neck and wrists and applied pressure to the wounds while awaiting paramedics.

Firefighters eventually carried the woman from the scene on a spinal board through dense foliage after cutting through a gate to access the riverbank.

PC Bowdell said: "It was essentially life or death."

PC Cook added: "It had to be done. It's part of the job. It would be fair to say instinct kicked in."

The woman is now recovering in hospital from her ordeal which police are not treating as suspicious .

Inspector Nicki Tompsett, who oversaw the police response, said: "I didn't need to give any instruction as my officers, upon recognising the impending circumstances, demonstrated the most dramatic selfless act possible. It was instantaneous action. I am immensely proud of all my officers.

"They managed to fulfil one of my – and I am sure one of their – joining principles: they made a difference, a difference Bolton should be proud of."