POLICE chiefs have praised brave Graham Hughes, from Whitefield, who stepped in to help a woman who was being viciously attacked by a knifeman last January.

When he intervened the man tried to stab him but Mr Hughes dodged the blade and shouted to his girlfriend to phone the police.

As the offender went to stab the woman again Mr Hughes took off his coat and hit the thug with it.

A man was later arrested for assaulting the woman and received a mandatory life sentence with a recommendation he serve a minimum of three years and two months.

Last week Mr Hughes received a Chief Constable's Commendation at a special awards ceremony at Bury Town Hall, in recognition of his bravery.

Long Service and Good Conduct Awards went to temporary Insp Robert Kenyon and Sgt Elaine Hodkinson, both based at Astley Bridge; temporary Insp Paul Crosbie and PCs Stephen Holt and John Bell, all based at Bury police station.

Part-time bobbies sub-divisional officer Andrew Hayes, from Bolton, and special constable Kevin Rafferty, from Bury, recieved a Special Constabulary Long Service Medal.

Swinton PC Michael Doyle, was awarded a Chief Constable's Citation of Merit after chasing youths who had burst into his house when he was off duty and threatened him. Stab