Wiltshire's Deputy Chief Constable Mike Veale praised his own officers and commended members of the public for their actions and long service at a ceremony at police headquarters in Devizes on Tuesday evening.

Mr Veale was standing in for Chief Constable Patrick Geenty, who was attending the quarterly chief constables meeting with Home Secretary Theresa May.

He told the assembly in the Bay Window Room: "This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise my colleagues for the work they do and the acts of selfless bravery from members of the public."

Three members of the public, Roy Arnold, Paul Campbell and Wesley Kelly, received Chief Constable's certificates of appreciation for dragging a man from a blazing building in Swindon last year.

Mr Veale also presented Chief Constable's certificates of commendation to PC Jon Fairbairn for attending to the victim of a single-vehicle crash on the A419 last year while the car hung precariously over a bridge parapet.

PC Carl Jones courageously faced a gun-wielding man at an address in Swindon. PC Jones had no way of knowing at the time the weapon was an air gun.

Two firearms officers who dealt with the aftermath of the shooting of Devizes solicitor Jim Ward on July 7 this year were also commended. PC Phil Kibble and PC Ian Lewis successfully detained and disarmed the alleged gunman.

The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Lord Lansdowne, presented Long Service and Good Conduct medals to DC Clive Bowyer, Inspector Jeremy Carter, Inspector Christian Lange, DS Nigel Porter, DS Jim Stannard and Sergeant Simon Stone.