TWO AA men who helped prevent a motorway accident turning into a major catastrophe, have been honoured for their bravery.

Kevin Harrison, of Euxton, received an AA service medal for his part in an emergency last September when a car and a horsebox had overturned on the M55.

Two carriages of the motorway were blocked but thanks to the car repair man and his colleague Tony Lissett, from Horwich, who helped the police, the horse was led to safety without further incident.

Kevin, 49, said: "When we got there the horse had righted itself in the horsebox and was just munching hay. Luckily it came out is if nothing had happened but the police were worried that if it was frightened it would bolt onto the motorway and cause an accident."

This was not the first time the two colleagues had met in critical circumstances on the motorway.

Some 15 years ago, Kevin joined the M6 to find all the traffic backed up. Someone urged him to go quickly to his pal who they feared was dead.

When Kevin rushed along the motorway he found Tony, who had been hit by a car, lying in the road. "As I got to him he just turned to me and started to speak. It was just such a relief," said Kevin.

Tony, 48, needed almost three months off work as a result of leg injuries.

Since being nominated for a bravery award Kevin has been back in action again on the M55. Early last month he put out a car fire on the hard shoulder and waited with the occupants until the emergency services arrived. Roger Wood, managing director of AA Road Services, said: "AA service medals are awarded to members of staff who, while on duty, carry out acts demanding exceptional personal initiative in circumstances of great distress, suffering, threat or similar serious occurrences."

Awards were presented to Kevin and Tony by Roy Gardner, chief executive of Centrica, at a special ceremony in London.

Lancashire Police had already commended the two men for their 'vital support' and 'willing and calm assistance' at the scene.

RESCUE heroes: Kevin Harrison (left) and Tony Lissett.