A WORCESTER police motorcyclist who saved a canoeist on the River Severn is in line for a bravery award.

PC Andy Bennett has been short-listed for the Vodafone Life Savers Awards, which recognises the work done by people in the emergency services.

In February this year, Worcester police received an emergency call to Kempsey where a female canoeist was in trouble on the river, which was heavily flooded.

She had capsized and was hanging on to a tree to stop herself being dragged away by the floodwater.

In high winds, driving rain and extreme cold, PC Bennett, aged 39, who was first to the scene, battled against the currents to bring the woman to safety.

Modest

The modest policeman has been with West Mercia Police for more than 12 years and is on their Roads Policing Support Team.

"It was one of those things I think anyone would do in similar circumstances. It is nice to think that other people think it was brave," he said.

"You cannot underestimate how much the cold and the current takes out of you. It was probably only about 80 yards but it seemed a lot further," he said.

PC Bennett, who is married with three sons, will join nine other finalists at the awards presentation at the Savoy Hotel, in London, in November.

The finalists will meet Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street before attending the gala lunch.