A TAVISTOCK policeman and his East Cornwall colleague were voted the bravest officers in the South West at a glittering awards ceremony in London on Tuesday night — and got to chat about their experiences with Prime Minister Tony Blair in an audience at 10 Downing Street.

PC Simon Dell, who is now based at Exeter, and PC Jim Pollack, were both stationed at Callington when they risked their lives to save a man and his stepfather from a blaze in the town in February 2001.

Their bravery was recognised when they clinched the regional title at the annual Police Federation/The Sun Police Bravery Awards, held at the Dorchester Hotel in the presence of Cherie Booth and Home Secretary David Blunkett MP.

But before the ceremony the officers chatted informally in the garden of 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister.

PC Dell said: 'It was delightful. He was really very interested in all that we had done. We spent about ten minutes with him, quite a long time.'

PC Dell, who attended the garden reception with his wife, Shirley, said it was very relaxed and welcoming.

'The overall impression was of a family home. The garden was full of toys for Leo and he was playing with his nanny in the garden while we were there.'

He said the family atmosphere was made even stronger when the Prime Minister spoke to one of the award winner's children on a mobile phone.

'It was her 11th birthday and obviously her mum and dad couldn't be there, so they got permission for her to speak to him on a mobile in her classroom — he really is a family man, it was excellent,' said PC Dell, who was also impressed by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

He said: 'I know traditionally police officers don't speak highly of Home Secretaries but he was really delightful, a very funny man, and he has really overcome tremendous personal difficulties with his blindness to have achieved all he has.'

The two policemen were among eight regional winners at the awards ceremony, which honours officers who put themselves at risk of death or serious harm while performing their duties.

PC Dell and PC Pollack were on duty at Callington Police Station when the alarm was raised. As PC Pollack called the fire brigade, PC Dell ran to the house where he found a woman outside with an eight-year-old girl — her 12-year-old son was trapped inside the house.

Although PC Dell was initially beaten back by the thick smoke, he made a second entry, feeling his way through the house on his hands and knees.

'At this point it was like breathing in a solid substance, it was so acrid and tarry,' said PC Dell, who followed the screams issuing from the floor above him.

He managed to close the door on the seat of the fire, describing the heat like 'putting your hand into a fire to move a burning log'.

PC Dell located the child, by now unconscious, by touch. Crawling back through the building, the heat had become so intense the back of his head and coat caught light.

Despite the danger, PC Dell and PC Pollack made their way back into the building to rescue the woman's husband, who was unconscious on the third floor. As they left the house they felt pressure in the building build and within seconds, the floor collapsed.

Following the rescue the woman described the officers as 'one in a million', who had saved the lives of her husband and child.

Fred Broughton, chairman of the Police Federation, said: 'In rescuing the pair and undoubtedly saving their lives, Constables Dell and Pollack acted extremely courageously. They did so at great risk to their own safety and are a credit to the policing profession.'

David Yelland, editor of The Sun, said the two constables had shown 'extraordinary devotion to duty and courage'.

'We are delighted to recognise their bravery. The 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.'