THE brave actions of a heroic bobby have been praised by a member of the public who saw him risk life and limb as he saved a man from a suicide attempt.

Sgt Tony Symonds was flagged down on the cantilever bridge in Stockton Heath on Saturday morning because a man had climbed over the rail and was standing on the edge, holding on to the side.

But before the man could jump into the cold, fast-flowing waters below, the quick-thinking sergeant got a hand to him and grabbed hold.

Colleague PC Kellie Bradley saw the heroic act.

She said: "Sgt Symonds grabbed hold of him and retrieved him over to the other side and kept a hold of him.

"It was lucky he was at the right place at the right time. Normally we would be able to reason with them and talk but the man went to jump and if he had, Sgt Symonds could have gone over with him because he had hold of him."

A member of the public who saw the events called the Guardian and commended Sgt Symonds' actions, calling him "heroic".