A POLICE officer who saved the life of a man who went into cardiac arrest in Thornbury has been honoured with a special award.

PC Julie Rudyard, who is based between Thornbury and Patchway, had been attending a callout to the Little Acorns Nursery near Gillingstool Primary School last July, when the man showing her around went into cardiac arrest.

Reacting quickly, PC Rudyard continuously administered CPR for 15 minutes while she waited for ambulances to arrive.

The man, who was in his 70s, was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary for treatment.

For her heroic actions, PC Rudyard was announced as a winner of the Police and Crime Commissioner Pride Awards, attending a special ceremony at Police and Fire Headquarters in Portishead on Tuesday.

Being presented with the award, PC Rudyard said she was “humbled” to have been recognised.

“As cliché as it sounds, I really was just doing my job,” she said.

PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “It is always humbling to see the dedication, bravery and hard work of the many people living amongst us.

“They are the unsung heroes who continually go that extra mile to keep the communities of Avon and Somerset safer and stronger. It is always a joy to meet them and hear their stories.

“These awards are a celebration of those silent stars who often do not get the recognition they so richly deserve. I am proud to say that all of these winners have made a lasting impact on the lives of Avon and Somerset residents and I am grateful to every single one of them for their efforts.”