BRAVE police officers who risked their lives in incidents in Oldbury and Rowley Regis have received commendations.

Eight officers were given Chief Constable's commendation after tackling three armed men, while two others were recognised after saving an unconscious woman from her burning home.

While on patrol last November, PCs Polly Allsop and Gary Westbury noticed a car matching the description of one involved in a Birmingham shooting travelling along Wolverhampton Road.

They followed at a safe distance until the suspects abandoned the vehicle.

Unarmed officers Insp Mark Nevitt, Sgt Ian Homer and PCs Hubert Treasure, James Burt, Christopher Howell and Manjinder Bhatti then approached and arrested all three suspects.

A MAC-10 machine gun was found in the vehicle, loaded with live ammunition.

The three arrested men, all from the London area, were charged with attempted murder and are due to go on trial early next year.

Chief Supt Andrew Jewkes, from Smethwick Police Station, said: "All eight officers made extraordinary acts of bravery without hesitation or concern for their own welfare."

PCs Nicola Parry and Philip Kingsley smashed their way into a house in Gadds Road, Rowley Regis, and battled flames to save the woman without regard for their own safety.

Both officers suffered cuts to their legs and were later treated for smoke inhalation.

Chief Supt Jewkes said: "Both officers took direct action by not waiting for the fire service to save a woman at immediate risk, despite the fact they had no protective clothing."