A HEROIC Bury firefighter has been crowned a regional finalist in the search for the country's top lifesavers.

Andy Sherlock has been shortlisted in the North West heat of the annual Vodafone Life Savers Awards after putting his own life at risk to save a critically-injured motorcyclist.

The 42-year-old was a spectator at an off-road motorcycle racing event in Sawley, Lancashire, in August last year when one of the riders was thrown from his machine and suffered serious injuries. Without concern for his own safety, Andy raced to the biker's aid as other trials bikes hurtled past at speed.

"The rider was wrapped around his bike, his body awkwardly distorted, and he was drifting in and out of consciousness," said Andy who has been a fireman for nearly 18 years. "Other riders were unaware of how serious a condition he was in and they continued tearing past at great speed just inches away from us. I managed to get one competitor to stop and use his bike as protection."

Utilising his training as a trauma technician, Andy took control of the situation, ensuring that the organisers redirected the race and offered support to the distressed patient. He also managed to get hold of a spinal board and oxygen for the casualty until the Air Ambulance arrived and airlifted the man to hospital.The motorcyclist spent five weeks in hospital recovering from damage to his spine and has now made a full recovery.

Andy said: "I learned later that one of the men who helped me with the casualty was a doctor but he never identified himself as one at the time. I can only assume that he must have been happy with the way I was treating the injured man.

"I have been a trauma technician for the last eight years. Everything I have learned instinctively kicked in and I am delighted the rider has recovered."

Andy's entry will now go before a regional judging panel who will select two regional winners to fly the flag for the North West in the national finals.

Gulf War Veteran John Nichol, TV personality Nell McAndrew and actor Martin Kemp will then have the difficult task of selecting the UK's Top ten most outstanding life saving stories for national recognition. The winners will receive their awards from Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a reception at 10 Downing Street on November 8.