Mr Sharp dived into the freezing waters of the river Teifi

And a fellow rescuer who helped by throwing a rope from the shore of the river Teifi will also be awarded for his actions.

Charles Sharp, 54, who lives in a flat at Cambrian Quay, Cardigan, will be recognised by the Royal Humane Society Testimonial along with Richard Goldsmith who will get a certificate pf commendation.

I dived straight in and swam to him. You don't think twice in a situation like that Charles Sharp

Mr Sharp - a former lifeboat coxswain at Cardigan - was in his flat at 1100GMT on 20 February when he heard shouts coming from the bridge.

On opening his window he saw a man who had jumped from the bridge floundering in the river.

Paramedics

"I ran to the landing stage on the quay and I could see that the man was going under," said Mr Sharp.

"I dived straight in and swam to him. You don't think twice in a situation like that."

Mr Sharp reached the man who, by then, had only his hand above water.

After pulling the man to the surface, Mr Sharp dragged him to the river bank where Mr Goldsmith was waiting with a rope which he used to haul both men out of the water.

"If it weren't for Richard and his rope I would have gone under myself," said Mr Sharp.

"He encouraged and guided me as well, this rescue was a team effort."

Major General Christopher Tyler, the Royal Humane Society's secretary praised the actions of the pair.

"If this had been a work of fiction it might have stretched credibility - a writer who suffers from heart disease and diabetes throwing himself into the freezing waters," he said

"Mr Sharp then swam 100 metres in strong currents in the dark to pull off a last second rescue just as the drowning man had only his hand above water."