A highways officer from Bradford has been given an award for saving a man's life at a motorway service station.

Highways Traffic Agency officer Anthony Hirst, 38, received a Royal Humane Society certificate of commendation along with colleague Zakar Hussain.

The officers went to assist 18-year-old Gareth Shorrocks after he had swallowed' his tongue' at 9pm on Saturday, March 4.

When they reached the teenager he was unconscious and hardly breathing. They cleared his airway, placed him in a recovery position and maintained his airway for 30 minutes until paramedics arrived.

Mr Hirst, of Cranbrook Avenue, Odsal, Bradford, said: "His friends were extremely drunk and fighting and arguing between themselves, like people do when they're drunk.

"I was more hands-on with Mr Shorrocks and my partner was monitoring, he was the one who was watching my back.

"It was very stressful and it was very hard with all these people there to tell whether he was actually still alive at some points."

Yesterday, Mr Hirst and Mr Hussain received the personal praise of Major General David Pennefather, secretary of the Humane Society, who commended their "initiative and humanity".

Announcing the awards at the society's London headquarters, the Major said: "Their efforts to look after Mr Shorrocks were seriously hindered by a group of some 20 drunk rugby fans, who surrounded them.

"However, they ensured he did not come to further harm before professional help was available.

"They displayed initiative and humanity and richly deserve the awards they are to receive."

Mr Hirst said: "I'd like to think that everybody would do that if they found themselves in that situation.

"It's nice to think you've made a difference. I'm pleased at being recommended and especially pleased to have been granted the award. The travelling public see different organisations in certain lights and it's nice to put a positive spin on our role.

"Our job is here to help the travelling motorist."

Mr Hirst and Mr Hussain were nominated by Robert Smith of the Wakefield-based Highways Agency. No date has been fixed for presentation of the awards, but the ceremony is expected to take place later this year.

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