The bravest police officers in England and Wales who risked their lives in the line of duty have been honoured in an awards ceremony.

Two off-duty Suffolk police officers who stopped an armed man blowing up a petrol station were named as the overall winners at the event in London on Tuesday.

They consciously put their own lives in jeopardy to prevent a disaster

Fred Broughton, Police Federation chairman

Officers who dealt with the Bradford riots were also among those nominated for the annual Police Bravery Awards.

A Downing Street reception with Prime Minister Tony Blair was followed by the Police Federation awards ceremony, at the Dorchester Hotel.

Threats

Suffolk Detective Constables Stephen Stenson-Pickles and Mark Scott were confronted by a man threatening to blow up a petrol station, in Bury St Edmunds in April last year.

The man armed with a carving knife said he planned to kill himself because his girlfriend had jilted him.

He poured fuel over the petrol station shop floor before smashing drink bottles and threatening to light a mixture of alcohol and petrol.

But one officer jumped on him while another threatened him with his baton.

The 24-year-old was later jailed for 15 months.

Fred Broughton, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, described the pair as "deserving winners."

He said: "They consciously put their own lives in jeopardy to prevent a disaster.

Riot police

All of the West Yorkshire and British Transport Police officers were included for their efforts in calming last summer's disturbances.

More than 300 police officers were injured in Bradford last July in some of the worst rioting Britain has seen in 20 years.

David Yelland, editor of The Sun newspaper, said: "The Police Bravery Awards can only honour a small number of police officers but I hope this recognition is seen as fitting praise to every member of our police service."

There were eight regional recipients of a bravery award from the Police Federation.

Home Secretary David Blunkett and the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Booth QC, presented some of the awards which was attended by more than 60 officers from 35 forces.