The Canon of Bradford Cathedral is to receive a bravery award for stopping a distraught asylum seeker from setting fire to himself by giving him a lifesaving hug.

Reverend Canon Derek Jackson has been nominated by West Yorkshire Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn for the Royal Humane Society award.

Canon Jackson was called to Bradford's immigration appeals court in Thornbury on September 24 after Kingsley Oroson, 27, doused himself in petrol.

The Cameroon national was holding a lighter in the foyer of the Phoenix House complex after learning his application to stay in Britain had been turned down. The Rushton Avenue site was evacuated and sealed off.

Following three hours of negotiations with police, Mr Oroson asked to speak to Canon Jackson, who he had already known for six months through the cathedral.

Canon Jackson prayed with the asylum seeker before giving him the chance to step into his embrace.

Mr Oroson then gave himself up peacefully and was held by police under the Mental Health Act.

Now Canon Jackson is to receive the Royal Humane Society's Testimonial on Parchment for putting himself at risk to save someone else. He said he was very shocked to learn he was to be given the award.

"I was just one human being helping another," he said.

"I thought that was the end of the story - I wasn't into any sense of heroics. You just do what you think is the right thing at the time.

"However, I hope that it raises people's awareness of the importance of being there for people when they are in distress."

He said he thought the emergency services should also be commended for their bravery.

Canon Jackson said Mr Oroson was much better and realised his desperate protest was a cry for help when he was extremely distressed.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "The Canon of Bradford Cathedral played a crucial role in the situation.

"He became pivotal in the negotiations and after a relatively short time Canon Jackson succeeding in persuading the man to give himself up peacefully."

The Royal Humane Society was founded in 1774 and gives a variety of medals and certificates for bravery.

Canon Jackson will be presented with the award by the Chief Constable at a later date.