A HEROIC Greater Manchester police officer who ran into a burning building to save three people has been praised by the police and crime commissioner.

PC David Urie, a father-of-six with 16 years' police service mainly in Prestwich and Whitefield, was one of 64 officers across the country selected for the 18th annual Police Bravery Awards which took place in London last week.

He was nominated after he risked his life to rescue the residents of a house in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, in the early hours of October 29, 2010.

PC Urie was on patrol when a motorist alerted him to the fire at the Best Saver convenience store.

When he arrived he found the ground-floor shop of the three-storey building was ablaze - but instead of waiting for the fire service to arrive, PC Urie twice ran into the burning building and rescued three people, including a man who was heavily sleeping.

This week he met with Tony Lloyd and deputy police and crime commissioner Jim Battle, who praised him for his selfless and heroic actions.

Mr Lloyd said: “It was truly inspiring to meet PC Urie and hear his courageous story. It was clear speaking to him that he is a very modest and humble man and believes he was just doing his job.

"In fact he only told his wife what had happened many weeks later. But how many of us would run into a burning building, without hesitation, with no thought for our own safety?

"PC Urie is a credit to the police and the people of Greater Manchester and I know his family, friends and colleagues are extremely proud.

“It’s right that we honour PC Urie’s bravery. He, along with the other nominated officers, deserve to be recognised for going beyond the call of duty and putting their own lives on the line to protect the public – something we take for granted.”