A HEROIC police officer who rescued three people from a burning building in Prestwich has been nominated for a national bravery award.

PC David Urie, now part of Bury North neighbourhood policing team, is one of 64 officers around the country who have been selected for the 18th Annual Police Bravery Awards for acting selflessly to protect others.

He will find out if he has won the honour when a ceremony is held in London next Thursday.

PC Urie was patrolling alone in Prestwich shortly before 4am on October 29, 2010, when a passing motorist alerted him to a fire at Best Saver convenience store, in Bury Old Road.

He drove to the store immediately and found the ground-floor shop of a three-storey Victorian building was ablaze.

A man who spoke very limited English was standing outside the shop and indicated to PC Urie that other people were still inside.

The fire service had not yet arrived, but PC Urie ran into the burning building and fought his way through thick black smoke.

He found two people on the first floor and sent them downstairs to safety. PC Urie entered a second bedroom, where he woke a man who was heavily asleep and led him to safety.

He went into the building again to check no one else was on the top floor.

The fire service then arrived and brought the blaze under control.

Despite suffering smoke inhalation, PC Urie had to be persuaded to leave his traffic point on the road closure to be taken to hospital.

PC Urie, a father of six who served in the Royal Navy for 21 years, has already been honoured with the John Egerton trophy — the highest award for bravery in Greater Manchester Police.

Stephen Mann, CEO of event sponsor Police Mutual, said: “Every single police officer who has been nominated for an award is a truly special individual.

“It is only right we take time out to reflect on their heroism and dedication and recognise the difficult situations police officers face keeping the public safe.”