POLICE officers across Bolton, Bury and Leigh are to be rewarded for their loyal dedication to the force in a special awards ceremony at Bolton Town Hall.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, the Mayoress, Mrs Christine Walsh, and Michael Todd, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, will distribute the awards on Tuesday. Support staff and members of the public will also be recognised.

The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal -- instituted by King George VI in 1951 and given to officers after 22 years of service -- will be awarded to: Insp Martin Hickson, aged 41 of Worsley; Sgt Ruth Marie Brown, aged 46, of Bolton; Sgt Martin Freschini, aged 41, of Bury; Sgt Keith Isherwood, aged 47, of Atherton; Sgt Mark Bradley, aged 42, of Bolton; Sgt Sheila Mohammed, aged 46; of Bolton; Pc Richard Armstrong, aged 43 of Wigan, Pc Andrea Brown, aged 45 of Wigan, Pc Gary Davidson, aged 41, of Bolton; Pc Trevor Davies, aged 49, of Bolton; Pc Eric Everitt, aged 46, of Bolton; Pc Ian Graham, aged 42, of Chorley; Pc Julie Hartshorn, aged 41, of Darwen; Pc David O'Brien, aged 46, of Bolton; Pc David Rose, aged 44 of Bolton; Pc Steven Christey, aged 44, of Bolton; Pc Paul Scholes, aged 43, of Bolton; Pc Geoffrey Parker, aged 41, of Bolton; Pc Paul Swindells, aged 40, of Bolton; and Pc Philip Waring, aged 40, of Bolton.

The Support Staff Long Service Certificate -- awarded to employees after 20 years of service with the Police Authority -- will be given to Dorothy Gidman, aged 61, of Deane, for her work with business services in Breightmet.

The Bolton Evening News reported on Friday how seven-year-old Worsley schoolboy Nicky Power is to get a special bravery award at the ceremony for saving the life of a three-year-old boy who was drowning in a reservoir.